as in quarrels
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
judging from all the slamming and banging, I'd say there was some sort of altercation going on next door
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Recent Examples of altercations
While no physical altercations are visible in the video, the shouting underscored heightened tensions between the causes.
—
Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 11 Jan. 2026
The veteran guard has been suspended previously for altercations with other players.
—Matt Schubert, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
On the same day as the shooting, immigration enforcement agents detained someone outside the city’s Roosevelt High School around dismissal time, which led to altercations with bystanders.
—Rebecca Santana, Fortune, 10 Jan. 2026
The event was largely peaceful, though a few altercations took place between protesters and a small number of isolated counter-protesters.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
That did not mean there was no intrigue, as both Antetokounmpo and Green were involved in a handful of chippy altercations in a half that concluded with the Warriors up 64-53.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
No arrests, detentions or altercations with police were reported.
—Richard Ramos, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Loud sounds of rioters and altercations with Capitol Police could be heard clearly.
—Sarah Ghermay, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Certainly, the number of incidents has dropped from a peak in 2021, when there were 720 altercations in March alone, according to FAA data.
—Thomas Black, Twin Cities, 21 Dec. 2025
Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 11 Jan. 2026
The veteran guard has been suspended previously for altercations with other players.
—Matt Schubert, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
On the same day as the shooting, immigration enforcement agents detained someone outside the city’s Roosevelt High School around dismissal time, which led to altercations with bystanders.
—Rebecca Santana, Fortune, 10 Jan. 2026
The event was largely peaceful, though a few altercations took place between protesters and a small number of isolated counter-protesters.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
That did not mean there was no intrigue, as both Antetokounmpo and Green were involved in a handful of chippy altercations in a half that concluded with the Warriors up 64-53.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
No arrests, detentions or altercations with police were reported.
—Richard Ramos, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Loud sounds of rioters and altercations with Capitol Police could be heard clearly.
—Sarah Ghermay, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Certainly, the number of incidents has dropped from a peak in 2021, when there were 720 altercations in March alone, according to FAA data.
—Thomas Black, Twin Cities, 21 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for altercations
Noun
-
Washington’s choice prioritized American independence over European quarrels.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The republic would treat other nations with civility precisely in order to remain independent of their appetites and quarrels.—
Maurizio Valsania,
The Conversation,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But India’s widening trade deficit with Beijing and border disputes have been a bone of contention between the two.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Wikipedia’s trust infrastructure—which includes citations, edit histories, talk pages and enforceable policies—was shaped in part by disputes among editors and visitors to the site over the coverage of evolution, climate change and health topics.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Or one who dismissed concerns from Black New Yorkers by citing disagreements with African leaders.—
David Moore,
New York Daily News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas gave fans a glimpse into one of their ongoing disagreements at the 2026 Golden Globes on Sunday night.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There were still fights to fight and Perfidia’s restlessness and struggles adjusting to motherhood led her to leave.—
Lindsey Underwood,
Vanity Fair,
13 Jan. 2026
-
From high-stakes budget fights to ambitious transit plans and a political cycle already heating up, these are some of the people who will leave their fingerprints on the year ahead.—
Austin American Statesman,
Austin American Statesman,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Over the past year, CBS has experienced several controversies and new ownership that led to new leadership, which have some critics accusing the network of losing its credibility.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The question ran through a host of controversies and crises involving the School District.—
Anthony Mann,
Miami Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Investigators aren't saying if there's a connection between Henderson's death and brawls at the bar.—
Ross Guidotti,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The plastic whistles and the car horns and the street brawls and the neighborhoods emptying into streets — the whole communities playing immovable rock to unstoppable federal force.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The three-judge panel was dismissive of many of the arguments made by Peters' attorneys.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
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But logical arguments won't change a person's mind unless the emotional foundation is also addressed.—
Gwen Faulkenberry,
Arkansas Online,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
May 21 – June 20 Honesty can clear up any recent messy misunderstandings.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Your curious voice can turn a tense back-and-forth into a kind brainstorm by talking through personal misunderstandings to ensure everyone is actually having a good time.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Altercations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altercations. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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