altercation

noun

al·​ter·​ca·​tion ˌȯl-tər-ˈkā-shən 

: a noisy, heated, angry dispute

He got into several altercations with his boss.

also : noisy controversy

Synonyms

• dispute
• quarrel
• controversy
• disagreement
• fight
• brawl
• argument
• bicker
• misunderstanding

Choose the Right Synonym for altercation

quarrel, wrangle, altercation, squabble 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

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 altercation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hurzeler left the Brazilian forward out of Brighton’s final two matches of last season following an altercation in training with team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke. —Andy Naylor, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025

Police believe Webb was involved in a physical altercation that led to him lose consciousness. —Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2025

Glen Stevenson, 63, is accused of killing 46-year-old Salvador Rabago during an altercation between the two men. —Chris Spargo, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Mills also denied there was a physical altercation and has maintained his innocence in the matter. —Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English altercacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French altercacion, borrowed from Latin altercātiōn-, altercātiō, from altercārī, altercāre "to dispute vehemently, wrangle" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at altercate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for altercation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

altercation

noun

al·​ter·​ca·​tion ˌȯl-tər-ˈkā-shən 

: a noisy or angry dispute