quarrel implies heated verbal contention, stressing strained or severed relations which may persist beyond the contention.
a quarrel nearly destroyed the relationship
wrangle suggests undignified and often futile disputation with a noisy insistence on differing opinions.
wrangle interminably about small issues
altercation implies fighting with words as the chief weapon, although it may also connote blows.
a loud public altercation
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
Examples of squabble in a Sentence
Noun
frightened by noise of the squabble, the cat hid under the couch Verb
The children were squabbling over the toys.
the children squabbled loudly over who got to play with the toy first
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Noun
Ultimately, lawmakers must look past the bureaucratic squabbles and politics to focus on the patients that these reforms will help.—Craig M. Wax, Boston Herald, 13 June 2025 The House floor squabble was not the only confrontation in the Capitol on Thursday: As Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) delivered remarks about the Padilla incident — endorsing censure for the senator — a string of House Democrats heckled the Speaker.—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 12 June 2025
Verb
With Republicans squabbling over key provisions, Trump for the first time eased up on his previous ironclad demand that lawmakers get the bill to his desk by the Independence Day holiday.—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 27 June 2025 Missouri legislators are set to squabble next week over whether to offer state aid for big-ticket sports stadium construction for both the Royals and the Chiefs.—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for squabble
Word History
Etymology
Noun
probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish dialect skvabbel dispute
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