bickering

1 of 2

noun

bick·​er·​ing ˈbi-k(ə-)riŋ 

: petty and petulant quarreling especially when prolonged or habitual

… said his own bosses, through their persistent bickering, had made his job practically impossible.

—Ronald Scott

also, bickerings plural : instances of such quarreling

was tired of listening to their endless bickerings

bickering

2 of 2

adjective

: engaging in or characterized by petty and petulant quarreling

a bickering couple

bickering politicians

Examples of bickering in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For kiddos, this will minimize bickering over which snacks each person gets. —Claire Hoppe, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2024

Proceedings resumed in January but have been marred by constant delays, including frequent bickering between the attorneys and the judge. —Holly Bailey, Washington Post, 1 July 2024

Adjective

The eurozone, an ungainly cross between an economic federation and a bickering assemblage of proud nation-states, will be slower to exploit the new opportunities. —Sebastian Mallaby, Foreign Affairs, 29 May 2020

From the first episode of the show, when Lewis’ version of himself screams at David’s heightened version of himself for not liking his girlfriend, the men are the bickering old marrieds that the show deserved. —Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1573, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1811, in the meaning defined above