squabble

¹squab·ble

noun \ˈskwä-bəl\

Definition of SQUABBLE

:  a noisy altercation or quarrel usually over petty matters

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Examples of SQUABBLE

1. <frightened by noise of the squabble, the cat hid under the couch>

Origin of SQUABBLE

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish dialect skvabbel dispute

First Known Use: 1602

Related to SQUABBLE

Synonyms

altercation, argle-bargle [chiefly British], argy-bargy [chiefly British], battle royal, bicker, brawl, contretemps, controversy, cross fire, disagreement, dispute, donnybrook, falling-out, fight, hassle, imbroglio, kickup, misunderstanding, quarrel, rhubarb, row, scrap, set-to, spat, argument, tiff, wrangle

Related Words

clash, run-in, skirmish, tangle, tussle; logomachy; feud, vendetta; attack, contention, dissension (also dissention); debate, difference, disputation; fuss, objection, protest, protestation; affray [chiefly British], fisticuffs, fracas, fray, free-for-all, melee (also mêlée); catfight

See Synonym Discussion at quarrel

Rhymes with SQUABBLE

bobble, cobble, gobble, hobble, Kabul, nobble, obol, wobble

²squabble

intransitive verb

: to argue loudly about things that are not important

squab·bledsquab·bling \-b(ə-)liŋ\

Full Definition of SQUABBLE

:  to quarrel noisily and usually over petty matters

— squab·bler \-b(ə-)lər\ noun

Examples of SQUABBLE

1. The children were squabbling over the toys.
2. <the children squabbled loudly over who got to play with the toy first>

First Known Use of SQUABBLE

1604

Related to SQUABBLE

Synonyms

altercate, argufy, bicker, brabble, brawl, controvert, dispute, fall out, fight, hassle, jar, quarrel, quibble, row, scrap, spat, argue, tiff, wrangle

Related Words

challenge, dare, defy; clash, contend, contest, tangle; cavil, fuss, nitpick; consider, debate, discuss; kick, object, protest

Near Antonyms

coexist, get along; accept, agree, assent, concur, consent

Rhymes with SQUABBLE

bobble, cobble, gobble, hobble, wobble