as in quarrel
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
after a prolonged bicker, they finally managed to find a movie that both of them were interested in seeing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to argue
to express different opinions about something often angrily
if you two don't stop bickering about where to go to eat, we're not going out at all!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 bicker
Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
In a lengthy scene in the desert, the camera pans to each character, isolating them or putting them in pairings to argue, bicker, and reveal themselves.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
David Sims, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
Since then, showrunner Tim Minear and the rest of the writers have played up the actors' natural chemistry, playing into both the characters' bickering dynamic and their willingness to do anything, including risking their lives, for one another.
—Sabienna Bowman, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bicker
Noun
And that’s just one of a litany of things on and off the field that the two bicker over.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
In a lengthy scene in the desert, the camera pans to each character, isolating them or putting them in pairings to argue, bicker, and reveal themselves.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
Whereas The Late Show’s prior steward, David Letterman, was happier to playfully bicker with guests, his successor took a surprisingly heady path.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
Since then, showrunner Tim Minear and the rest of the writers have played up the actors' natural chemistry, playing into both the characters' bickering dynamic and their willingness to do anything, including risking their lives, for one another.
—Sabienna Bowman, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bicker
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bicker
Noun
-
Rounding out the top five names were seven write-in votes for the Sacramento Capitals or Capitols — which could be nicknamed the Caps to avoid quarrels over the spelling — and six votes for the Sacramento Stingers or Sting, referencing the collegiate Sacramento State Hornets.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2026
-
In May 2024, Jose Siri tried swinging at Uribe during a dugout-clearing quarrel.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Bass has called for hiring more officers and defending her Inside Safe homelessness program, while Raman has criticized the cost of police raises, called for broader public-safety responses and argued that the city needs a more accountable and cost-effective homelessness system.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
-
California Attorneys, Administrative Law Judges, and Hearing Officers in State Employment (CASE) argues that in forcing more than 90,000 workers to regularly commute to state offices, Newsom is violating the California Environmental Quality Act.—
Kassia Bonesteel,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
The Washington National Opera is accusing the Kennedy Center of failing to return more than $17 million in donor funds, escalating a dispute that followed the end of a 15-year partnership between the two institutions.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
12 June 2026
-
According to settlement documents filed May 7 in the Southern District of New York, Baldoni, via his Wayfarer production company, and Lively agreed to settle their ongoing dispute on terms that Lively could still seek to recover attorney's fees and additional damages.—
Angeline Jane Bernabe,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
In the 1970s, what was then West Germany co-produced the Tornado bomber with the UK and Italy; then in the 1990s Germany worked with the UK, Italy and Spain to produce the dog-fighting Eurofighter jet.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
-
But somehow, the Valkyries went cold and the Storm kept fighting.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
All this negative verbiage stems from disagreements over contracts with Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach and what the sheriff agreed to do.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
6 June 2026
-
As political disagreements have splintered the nation, Americans of every political persuasion have raised the flag to display pride or protest.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Callie and Arizona: Another couple spatting over kids.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Mulroney, Ackerman, Snow, and Newman turn this story of spatting WAGS into an explosive, addictive watch.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Police found that two adult men had been involved in an altercation when one of the men struck the other multiple times, authorities said.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
-
Jurors returned their verdict after several days of testimony from dozens of witnesses, including students who saw the altercation, investigators who handled the case, medical experts, and character witnesses called by the defense.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Then there are the lesser houses, the lower fiefdoms squabbling over the crumbs that fall from the big kids’ table.—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
14 May 2026
-
Clarity, short for Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, passed the House of Representatives last year but has faced setbacks in the Senate Banking Committee as banks and stablecoin companies squabble over the question of how and when rewards can be paid on stablecoin balances.—
Jack Kubinec,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bicker.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bicker. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
