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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Recent Examples of Synonyms for altercate

Verb

Kimmel and Damon then bicker over who has a rightful paternal claim to the child, culminating in a pitch-perfect spoof of Maury featuring Short as Povich.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Aug. 2026
There’s striker Josie Gordon, bickering twin sisters Siobhan and Niamh, glove-shunning goalie Katie ‘Boots’ Quinn and couple Maddie and Margy.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of bicker

Verb

Opponents argue that the nation that won its independence from Denmark in 1944 enjoys all the benefits of European integration with no drawbacks.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Independent investigators, including the late doctor and whistleblower Gao Yaojie, argued the actual number could be much higher.

— CNN Staff, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of argue

Verb

Without a clear message from Warsh, investors began to doubt the Fed’s inflation-fighting resolve.

— Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
Federal safety investigators urged automakers to give emergency responders better guides on how to fight lithium-ion battery fires.

— Todd C. Frankel, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of fight

Verb

In Krisevich’s case, Konovalova repeatedly quarreled with the artist and his wife until the couple ultimately escaped Russia in December 2025.

— Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
In another clip, a student records himself quarreling with a teacher asking him to take out his notes.

— Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of quarrel

Verb

The two squads vying for the Julius Erving Trophy earned their way to the championship clash with impressive playoff victories against the Triplets (Ball Hogs) and the defending champion 305 (Power).

— Juan Carlos Blanco, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Get used to Aledo clashing with Carroll The scrimmage between the Dragons and Bearcats holds no weight.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 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

His family has disputed Homeland Security’s account and says Pirela had applied for asylum and obtained work permits.

— Laura Turbay, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
William Gottlieb Real Estate disputed the allegations that its site was the sole source of the rat problem back in June.

— Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of dispute

Verb

Well, maybe everyone except for the fans escorted out of the right-field bleachers after brawling, another clip that went viral on social media.

— Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Massive fights erupted at the Wisconsin State Fair during its chaotic closing hours Sunday, with viral video showing people in crowds throwing punches and brawling as police moved in to break up the mayhem.

— Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 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.

Browse Nearby Words

alterations

altercate

altercated

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“Altercate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altercate. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of altercate

verb

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