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 Per the incident report, police were called to the Palazzo at the Venetian about an altercation between two males. EW.com, 13 June 2025 Video of the altercation — captured by reporters on the scene — sent shock waves through the Capitol, with Democrats slamming the way law enforcement personnel handled Padilla, and Republicans condemning the senator’s conduct at the media availability. Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 12 June 2025 The victim’s girlfriend, who hasn’t been publicly identified, got into a verbal altercation with one of the cousins, who then called the defendant to the scene, prosecutors said in a news release. Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 10 June 2025 Both of the city workers were fired after being arrested for a domestic altercation that got out of hand when police showed up and Khudaynazar allegedly struck an officer. Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for altercation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for altercation
Noun
  • The simmering dispute comes as protesters showed up at Dodger Stadium on Thursday to decry Dodgers’ silence amidst immigration raids and unrest in Los Angeles.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 21 June 2025
  • News to Know Wisconsin lawsuit accuses Miami of tampering In the latest legal dispute amid the changing landscape of college sports, the University of Wisconsin filed a lawsuit against the University of Miami yesterday for allegedly tampering with a football player.
    and Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • Victor Bautista got into an argument with his killer in front of NYCHA’s Moore Houses, across the street from troubled St. Mary’s Park, in Mott Haven about 7:45 a.m. As the quarrel escalated, the gunman shot Bautista in the chest near Trinity Ave.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
  • The canvas brims with characters who casually kill but also love, laugh, quarrel.
    Anupama Chopra, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2025
Noun
  • The changes come amid several controversies facing the Texas Lottery in recent years, particularly on the issue of courier purchases.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 June 2025
  • Red Bull team boss Christian Horner revealed what has changed in Formula 1 over his 20 years in the sport amid the sport's drama and controversies.
    Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • For decades, Kahneman and Gary Klein, a psychologist who researches naturalistic decision-making, had a running disagreement about whether human intuition could be trusted.
    Gabriel Snyder, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • Though the talks fell apart over disagreements on what measures North Korea would take toward disarmament and Trump’s reluctance to offer sanctions relief, the summits ended on a surprisingly hopeful note, with the two leaders walking away as pen pals.
    Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • The result of that fight was Paul's first and only pro loss, dropping a split decision to Fury.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Then, in 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that federal courts do not have a role to play in deciding legal fights over partisan gerrymandering, when state's voting lines are drawn to entrench the political party in power.
    June 27, CBS News, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Most of the brawls took place between large groups of teenagers, according to Conley.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 22 June 2025
  • Anakin and Obi-Wan's lightsaber brawl is an all-timer just for sheer brutality. 34.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • The news outlets say that the argument runs contrary to what OpenAI tells its users about being subject to retaining data if the law requires it.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 18 June 2025
  • But Carlson has broken away from other Republicans over the Israel-Iran argument.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 18 June 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

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Cite this Entry

“Altercation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altercation. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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