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affray

affray

1 9.3
A fight in a public place that scares people and disturbs others
  • noun
  • /əˈfreɪ/
  • Formal
translation icon : altercado
  • You'll do six months for affray.

Examples

  • Naz Ahmed's got previous for violent affray.

  • A couple of assaults and an affray that made a lot out at Whissendine.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • We didn't even look upon such affrays as violence.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • You were present at this affray in which the prisoner, with his customary bravery, severely wounded two helpless natives.

  • The crowd gasped as the two men got into a loud affray in the middle of the street.

  • Witnesses reported a shocking affray that broke out at the local park, making everyone uneasy.

  • Local authorities were called to break up an affray that erupted outside the nightclub last night.

Synonyms

commotion
vsaffray
73 4.1

A noisy situation when people are excited or confused

is the specific public fight that causes alarm rather than simple noise
brawl
vsaffray
60 4.6

A noisy, violent fight among a group in a public place

is the legal or formal notion of a public disturbance causing alarm
altercation
vsaffray
52 6.8

A noisy argument between people often in public

is the public upset that emphasizes physical disturbance and alarm
fray
vsaffray
50 6.5

A noisy fight involving several people

is the public disturbance concept stressing alarm and legal concern
uproar
vsaffray
47 3.9

A loud, confused noise and activity by a group of people

is more about an alarming public fight rather than general noisy disorder
disturbance
vsaffray
45 3.7

A noisy event in a public place that bothers other people

is specifically a public fight that upsets the peace and causes alarm
ruckus
vsaffray
  • Informal
31 6.8

A loud, confused noise made by people arguing or shouting

is the formal public upset that legally disturbs the peace
disorderly conduct
vsaffray
  • Formal
16 5.0

Behavior that disturbs people in public and may be illegal

is the specific kind of public disturbance characterised by an alarming fight
donnybrook
vsaffray
2 9.1

A noisy public fight or argument that causes trouble

is the formal disturbance concept stressing alarm and public peace
fracas
vsaffray
1 8.4

A noisy fight between several people, often in public places

is the formal idea focused on upsetting public peace rather than only noise
ruction
vsaffray
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A noisy argument or fight that makes a place loud and confused

is the legal-style public disorder emphasising alarm over mere argument
8.5

A sudden violent crowd event that causes confusion and danger

is narrower, focusing on public alarm and upsetting the peace

Antonyms

1.0

A calm, friendly relationship between people or groups without argument

52 1.0

A quiet, peaceful feeling that helps you stay steady

How Violent

riot
329 4.1
affray
  • Formal
1 9.3
brawl
60 4.6
to fight
1.0
scuffle
25 3.7
disturbance
45 3.7

Surface Forms

affray singular
affrays plural

Etymology

The word affray comes from the Old French afrai, which meant 'fright' or 'alarm' and is like the English word fright. So an affray is a public fight or noisy trouble that causes alarm and disturbs the peace.