quarrel

1 of 3

noun (1)

: a square-headed bolt or arrow especially for a crossbow

quarrel

2 of 3

noun (2)

1
: a ground of dispute or complaint
have no quarrel with a different approach
2
: a usually verbal conflict between antagonists : altercation

quarrel

3 of 3

verb

quarreled or quarrelled; quarreling or quarrelling

intransitive verb

1
: to find fault
many people quarrel with the ideaJohns Hopkins Magazine
2
: to contend or dispute actively
quarreled frequently with his superiorsLondon Calling
quarreler noun
or quarreller
Choose the Right Synonym for quarrel

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 quarrel in a Sentence

Noun (2) a loud quarrel erupted at the next table over Verb The children quarrel all the time. She and her husband are always quarreling about money. I don't want to quarrel with you.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The chain blamed its struggles on an unsustainable $20 all-you-can-eat shrimp promotion that wound up contributing to $11 million in losses, the toils of inflation, sluggish traffic, and quarrels with a former owner Thai Union. Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2024 As their relationship reached a breaking point, Emma and Marcello quarrel in a car parked in the bleak outskirts of Rome. Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 26 July 2024 Proponents of the curse theory pointed to centuries of death, injury, ruination, quarrels, and dreams dashed upon the rocks. Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024 The campaign is already reigniting the political quarrels that have been relatively quiet over the past few months. Giovanna De Maio, Foreign Affairs, 24 Sep. 2021 See all Example Sentences for quarrel 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'quarrel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, square block of stone, bolt, from Vulgar Latin *quadrellum, diminutive of Latin quadrum square — more at quadrate

Noun (2)

Middle English querele, from Anglo-French, from Latin querela grievance, complaint, from queri to complain

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of quarrel was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near quarrel

Cite this Entry

“Quarrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quarrel. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

quarrel

1 of 2 noun
1
: a cause of dispute or complaint
2
: an angry difference of opinion : dispute

quarrel

2 of 2 verb
quarreled or quarrelled; quarreling or quarrelling
1
: to find fault
I quarrel with your version of what happened
2
: to argue forcefully or loudly : squabble
quarreler noun
or quarreller

More from Merriam-Webster on quarrel

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