ALTERCATE Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

altercate

verb

ˈȯl-tər-ˌkāt

Definition of altercate

as in to bicker

to express different opinions about something often angrily this discussion is so silly we might as well altercate on how many angels can dance on the point of a needle

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for altercate

Verb

The two are fond but sick of each other, at times bickering with real melancholy and malice.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026
The two of them together, just 17 months apart, shared playlists, bickered over where to stop during Apple CarPlay calls, pulled up beside me and faded away with silly faces, encapsulating 20 years of my life in my rearview mirror.

— Robert Duffer, AJC.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of bicker

Verb

The plaintiffs argued that Trump’s order exceeds his presidential authority and violates the Constitution, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Privacy Act.

— Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026
If El-Sayed loses, there will be a fight over blame between Democrats who spent tens of millions of dollars to support him and progressives who’ll argue that the party establishment can’t be trusted when leftist candidates win a nomination.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of argue

Verb

Brown's career started as well as anyone could have imagined, as the former sixth-round-pick from Central Michigan went from fighting to earn a roster spot to becoming one of the most prolific wide receivers in Pittsburgh franchise history.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
The American Gaming Association has been fighting prediction markets as unlicensed gambling.

— Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of fight

Verb

The film’s drama, though, centers more on Nakamura and Ei, who joined forces to compose a series of hits in the 1960s but quarreled and parted as Nakamura spiraled into alcoholism.

— Mark Schilling, Variety, 28 Oct. 2026
The two were among two quarreling groups inside the club that began to fight, according to the report.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of quarrel

Verb

Police detained three people after some demonstrators clashed with officers outside the court complex.

— Tyler Speicher, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Stevens supported El-Sayed after the primary, but the two have clashed publicly in the days ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections.

— Theodoric Meyer, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of clash

Verb

Mulroney, Ackerman, Snow, and Newman turn this story of spatting WAGS into an explosive, addictive watch.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2025
Preparation has cultural and regional variations, but the seed is usually chewed with slaked lime and betel leaves, and chewing releases a red juice that's often then spat out.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Aug. 2025

Definition of spat

Verb

In Evercore's scenario where Democrats win both chambers and the election is disputed, but military action doesn't escalate, the investment bank sees the S & P 500 ending the year at 7,650, a little more than 1% above Monday's close.

— Paulina Likos, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026
Credit cards generally provide stronger legal protections for disputing unauthorized charges and purchases that never arrive.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of dispute

Verb

Jordan, the brawling former wrestler who helmed the Judiciary Committee, has long been preferred by the hard right, including some from the Freedom Caucus.

— Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
On the night of January 14, after some drinking, two young men started brawling and the incident turned bloody—an average Tuesday evening in this part of the city at this time.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of brawl

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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alterations

altercate

altercated

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“Altercate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altercate. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of altercate

verb

Example Sentences

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