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melee

melee

19 8.4
A loud, confused fight among many people
  • noun
  • /ˈmeɪleɪ/
translation icon : pelea
  • A great melee broke out at the rally as opposing groups clashed with shouting and pushing.

And so in that melee, she gets bumped.

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Examples

  • The Cold Spring authorities broke up the melee before any serious incidents occurred.

    Academic text (2001)
  • A great melee ensued, but the French were eventually driven back to their start line.

  • In the course of the melee, one of them gets shot in the neck.

  • Another melee is taking place in the park... right in front of the nation.

  • Four persons were arrested and a number of others... ...including one policeman were injured in the melee.

  • The green boy was swept away down the row in a furious melee of security people and emergency help.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Across from the Hilton Hotel, there was a melee on the street.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The horses stumbled and went down in the melee, and their riders went flying as well.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • When these fresh Allied cavalry reserves charged the French, a great melee ensued.

  • During the melee, the Republican postmaster hid Long in an iron safe, and later in the courthouse belfry.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

brawl
vsmelee
60 4.6

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

is a confused noisy fight focused on many people rather than location
fray
vsmelee
50 6.5

A noisy fight involving several people

is a confused noisy fight emphasizing many people rather than intensity
rumble
vsmelee
  • Archaic
12 8.3

A violent fight between rival groups of young people

is a confused noisy fight with many people rather than a gang conflict
slugfest
vsmelee
  • Literature
7 8.0

A very rough fight or argument where people attack each other a lot

is about a confused noisy fight involving many people rather than prolonged intensity
scrimmage
vsmelee
4 7.5

A noisy fight where people push each other

is about a larger confused fight involving many people rather than a scuffle
donnybrook
vsmelee
2 9.1

A noisy public fight or argument that causes trouble

is a confused noisy physical fight rather than a public argument
battle royal
vsmelee
  • Informal
1 7.0

A noisy fight involving many people in one place

is about a confused noisy fight with many people rather than distinct groups

Antonyms

1.0

A calm, quiet feeling in your mind without worry

146 2.5

Agreement and peaceful working together between people or ideas

How Violent

riot
329 4.1
melee
19 8.4
brawl
60 4.6
fight
1.0
tussle
14 4.8
scuffle
25 3.7

Surface Forms

melee singular
melees plural

Etymology

Melee comes from the French word mêlée, which means 'mixing' or 'mix-up'. So a melee is like people 'mixed' together in a loud, confused fight.