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

While a competitive edge — even among teammates — is encouraged during NFL training camps, no one wants to see the quarterback involved in physical altercations. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2025

Those involved in the altercation fled before police arrived, Gonzalez said. —Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2025

Monroe, who is the mother of the 15-year-old, then allegedly struck the 14-year-old several times with a metal water bottle before a security guard broke up the altercation. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 17 Aug. 2025

Campus security detained the man suspected in the altercation and turned him over to police. —Katie Langford, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 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