Synonym Chooser

How does the noun altercation contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of altercation are quarrel, squabble, and wrangle. While all these words mean "a noisy dispute usually marked by anger," altercation implies fighting with words as the chief weapon, although it may also connote blows.

a loud public altercation

Where would quarrel be a reasonable alternative to altercation?

In some situations, the words quarrel and altercation are roughly equivalent. However, quarrel implies heated verbal contention, stressing strained or severed relations which may persist beyond the contention.

a quarrel nearly destroyed the relationship

When is it sensible to use squabble instead of altercation?

The meanings of squabble and altercation largely overlap; however, 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

When would wrangle be a good substitute for altercation?

The words wrangle and altercation can be used in similar contexts, but wrangle suggests undignified and often futile disputation with a noisy insistence on differing opinions.

wrangle interminably about small issues

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of altercation Video shows an altercation between the lawmakers and apparent protesters with law enforcement by a security gate at the detention center. Erin Doherty, CNBC, 10 May 2025 Jason Corbett was found dead in his house after there was an altercation between his wife Molly Martens, and her father, ex FBI agent Thomas Martens. Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 9 May 2025 According to a police statement obtained by PEOPLE, the 57-year-old from Devon, England, was released on bail on Tuesday, May 6, after Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary arrested him following a fatal altercation on a cruise ship. Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 8 May 2025 Back in January, Kerley was hit with a domestic violence charge in an unrelated incident from last year, after he was arrested following an altercation with police. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for altercation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for altercation
Noun
  • The dispute has unfolded as CBS parent company Paramount Global seeks the FCC’s approval for a multi-billion-dollar merger with Skydance.
    Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen said that its around 450 members in New Jersey Transit were walking off the job at 12:01 a.m., in a dispute over pay.
    Phil Helsel, NBC news, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Knowing her grandson was outside, Mette called out to the group as the commotion grew, demanding the quarrel stop and for her grandchild to leave, sources said.
    Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2025
  • This time, however, testimony suggested a thornier layer to the quarrel: Phillip said the family had learned a few years earlier that the older brother was not Ferguson’s biological child.
    Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In December 2020 — shortly before Hilaria's heritage controversy emerged — Schumer posted some of Hilaria's family photos on her own Instagram page, later deleting them and apologizing to Hilaria, who spoke out about receiving negative comments.
    Benjamin VanHoose, People.com, 7 May 2025
  • The new portraits were unveiled roughly one year after a portrait of King Charles by artist Jonathan Yeo was revealed at Buckingham Palace, stirring some controversy and debate for its strong imagery.
    WWD Staff, Footwear News, 7 May 2025
Noun
  • The pair’s latest dispute centers on deep disagreements over whether to focus on slashing property taxes or sales taxes.
    Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 8 May 2025
  • After two earlier attempts to pass this bill failed because of disagreements about whether confessions should be exempt from reporting mandates, the final version passed during the legislative session this spring.
    Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • The court appearance had stalled last month due to a fight over access to a parole document.
    Karim Doumar, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
  • Collins and the other researchers were able to decipher text describing the fight and ultimate victory of Gawain, his brothers and his father King Loth versus the Saxon Kings Dodalis, Moydas, Oriancés, and Brandalus.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • In that time frame, several youths suffered drug overdoses, a teen was stabbed in the eye and 30 probation officers were indicted for allegedly organizing or allowing brawls between youths.
    James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
  • Following the brawl, which occurred in the Galveston, Texas, cruise terminal, several people were detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Megan, born Megan Pete, claimed that Lanez shot her in the foot after an argument broke out in her car between friend Kelsey Nicole, Lanez, and Lanez's bodyguard following an evening at Kylie Jenner's house on July 12, 2020.
    EW.com, EW.com, 13 May 2025
  • Such an argument does not figure to spare deportation for those nabbed by federal immigration agents.
    Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • The Hussein family bickers about which MENA ethnicities are better than others.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Better to follow the West German example and achieve full NATO membership for independent Ukraine than to watch essential U.S. support dwindle as Congress bickers and Trump’s reelection odds increase.
    M. E. Sarotte, Foreign Affairs, 8 July 2024

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Altercation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altercation. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on altercation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!