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quarrel 1 of 2

Definition of quarrelnext

quarrel

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun quarrel contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of quarrel are altercation, squabble, and wrangle. While all these words mean "a noisy dispute usually marked by anger," quarrel implies heated verbal contention, stressing strained or severed relations which may persist beyond the contention.

a quarrel nearly destroyed the relationship

When would altercation be a good substitute for quarrel?

The words altercation and quarrel can be used in similar contexts, but altercation implies fighting with words as the chief weapon, although it may also connote blows.

a loud public altercation

When can squabble be used instead of quarrel?

The synonyms squabble and quarrel are sometimes interchangeable, but squabble stresses childish and unseemly dispute over petty matters, but it need not imply bitterness or anger.

a brief squabble over what to do next

When is it sensible to use wrangle instead of quarrel?

While the synonyms wrangle and quarrel are close in meaning, wrangle suggests undignified and often futile disputation with a noisy insistence on differing opinions.

wrangle interminably about small issues

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of quarrel
Noun
See timeline of Disney, YouTube TV contract dispute The quarrel between Disney and YouTube TV began in mid-October. Melina Khan, USA Today, 14 Nov. 2025 Marta and Antonio, partners of many years, quarrel and suddenly break up. John Hopewell, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
Rhoden's biggest political victory this year was getting the state Legislature to sign off on a $650 million plan in September to replace the 141-year-old state penitentiary, an issue the Legislature had quarreled over for years. CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025 The family is reportedly quarreling over Princess Beatrice and Eugenie’s royal roles after their father Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had his titles taken away. Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 13 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for quarrel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quarrel
Noun
  • 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.
    Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Police had initially said the shooting involved a family dispute but gave no specific details.
    Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Someone on the bench started bickering with Cameroon’s first goalscorer, Junior Tchamadeu, during a break in play.
    Jay Harris, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The Federal Reserve chair and the president stood stiffly, side by side, in matching hard hats, bickering on a building site, for all the world to see.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • During the altercation, the security guard shot and killed the man, McCabe said.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026
  • In 2019, Dykstra had drug and terroristic threat charges dropped after an altercation with an Uber driver in New Jersey in 2018.
    Matt Moret, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The conviction was later vacated in 2016, after a new legal team argued that Max’s original trial lawyer had a conflict of interest in the case.
    Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Schumer on Saturday persisted in arguing that Republicans should accept a one-year extension of the subsidies before negotiating the future of the tax credits.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Or one who dismissed concerns from Black New Yorkers by citing disagreements with African leaders.
    David Moore, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Tommy has opposed the offshore well from the start — a gamble with only a 10% chance of success — and the disagreement has long strained his relationship with Cami.
    Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Barton gave the jury the impression of a man prepared to go into daily combat on numerous fronts, constantly fighting one battle after another, in service of his principles.
    Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Players fought, fought, fought, gave us every chance in the world.
    Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The controversy stemmed from an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR filed by Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, which argued the racing organization wasn’t properly sharing its revenue with the teams that compete in the sport’s top company.
    Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ – Test yourself on culinary controversies and presidential proclamations.
    , FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Callie and Arizona: Another couple spatting over kids.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Mulroney, Ackerman, Snow, and Newman turn this story of spatting WAGS into an explosive, addictive watch.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Quarrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quarrel. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on quarrel

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