as in quarrels
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
judging from all the slamming and banging, I'd say there was some sort of altercation going on next door
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of altercations
No arrests, detentions or altercations with police were reported.
—
Richard Ramos, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Loud sounds of rioters and altercations with Capitol Police could be heard clearly.
—Sarah Ghermay, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2026
In the first 11 months of this year, 1,480 altercations were reported, down 23% from the period a year earlier.
—Thomas Black, Twin Cities, 21 Dec. 2025
New York City prosecutors accused R&B artist Trey Songz of being involved in two altercations at Manhattan night spots, court documents revealed.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 17 Dec. 2025
The result, predictably, was frequent altercations with the chiefs, who clamored for more of everything and had grown accustomed to allying with lawmakers eager to procure defense contracts for their districts or states.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
The first movie was pulled from theaters over its controversial nature, which led to altercations outside theaters and letters angry letters from parents.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2025
Allen didn't downplay his altercations with the longtime Steelers defensive lineman.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
Unfortunately, the launch of the Bearista cup didn’t go as expected, with merchandise shortages nationwide and physical altercations breaking out at some locations, leaving many customers empty-handed.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for altercations
Noun
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But by agreeing to disagree on these ideological quarrels, negotiators could manage to find ways to prevent them from triggering unnecessary crises.—
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There is enough division already without such quarrels.—
Noun
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Opening arguments in a Stanford felony vandalism case began Friday amid sharp disputes over whether political views tied to Israel’s war in Gaza should factor into the trial — an issue that has shaped the case from its earliest stages.—
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Keeping Tabs on Car and Insurance-Related Documents Good documentation helps save time and stress during claims or disputes.—
Noun
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Over the course of the hour-long runtime, all the girls bring their lingering tensions and disagreements to the table and air everything out.—
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Democrats gathered for a conference hosted by progressives were sneering at Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who was not present, for shutting down popular new faces based on disagreements over specific issues.—
Noun
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According to reports, there were fights in the snake-like queue that formed.—
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Town budgets, school boards, zoning fights, shoreline resilience — these are problems that punish purity.—
Noun
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Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ – Test yourself on culinary controversies and presidential proclamations.—
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Minnesota has been under scrutiny in recent weeks over yearslong investigations and controversies about alleged fraud in child-care centers.—
Noun
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Investigators aren't saying if there's a connection between Henderson's death and brawls at the bar.—
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The plastic whistles and the car horns and the street brawls and the neighborhoods emptying into streets — the whole communities playing immovable rock to unstoppable federal force.—
Noun
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The Powell trial could serve as a literal test case to see how a jury reacts to testimony about allegations that date back some 50 years and arguments about what level of scrutiny Riverside should have given Lorch and the basketball program.—
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Why did so many people in states with Democrat-majority governments want to keep the COVID emergency going, want it so badly that all rational arguments offered in support of reopening were ignored or answered with obscenity-laden accusations of grandma-killing?—
Noun
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May 21 – June 20 Honesty can clear up any recent messy misunderstandings.—
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Your curious voice can turn a tense back-and-forth into a kind brainstorm by talking through personal misunderstandings to ensure everyone is actually having a good time.—
Cite this Entry
“Altercations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altercations. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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