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 of altercation

• 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

His family said a group of men grabbed his sister near Elm Street, prompting a verbal altercation involving Boling. — Doug Myers, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026

Photos of the event published by The Daily Mail include snapshots of attendees appearing to be engaged in altercations, and partygoers seated on a lawn in handcuffs. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 Nov. 2026

The altercation erupted after an enraged woman allegedly slapped a fellow speaker with a phone and lunged when challenged on women's rights in Iran. — Staff, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Wilmette police said their investigation revealed that the altercation occurred between two people who were in the area to solicit money on the public sidewalk. — Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

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