What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
affray
Example
The police were called to break up the affray that broke out at the bar. [affray: noun]
Example
He was charged with affray after getting into a fight with a group of strangers. [affray: verb]
altercation
Example
The couple had an altercation in the restaurant and were asked to leave. [altercation: noun]
Example
He got into an altercation with his boss over a work-related issue. [altercation: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Altercation is more commonly used than affray in everyday language. Altercation is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while affray is less common and refers to a more severe and specific type of conflict.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between affray and altercation?
Both affray and altercation are formal words and are typically used in legal or official contexts. However, altercation may be used in less formal situations as well.
