as in arguing
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
Relevance
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 bickering
For those of us interested in governing and not bickering, this is a good thing.
—
Gail Slater, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
In some states, lawmakers are still bickering over how money should be spent.
—Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 8 Apr. 2026
At the time of the invite, Congress was furiously bickering over a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill, as Democrats refused to allocate funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Ukraine's European allies have promised to maintain their steadfast support, but bickering over a major 90 billion euro ($106 billion) European Union loan to cover Kyiv's military and economic needs for two years has reflected the mounting challenges.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bickering
Gail Slater, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
In some states, lawmakers are still bickering over how money should be spent.
—Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 8 Apr. 2026
At the time of the invite, Congress was furiously bickering over a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill, as Democrats refused to allocate funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Ukraine's European allies have promised to maintain their steadfast support, but bickering over a major 90 billion euro ($106 billion) European Union loan to cover Kyiv's military and economic needs for two years has reflected the mounting challenges.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bickering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bickering
Verb
-
Russia warns of major Kyiv attacks The Kremlin urged foreign diplomats to leave Kyiv, warning of a major forthcoming attack, with analysts arguing that Russia is losing momentum in its war on Ukraine.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 May 2026
-
The men were arguing about a conflict that their children were having, the mother told the TV station.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Now might not seem the moment for Democrats to be quarrelling, but many of them believe that the only way to build the Party back up is to remake it.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
The lack of money has, at times, led to quarrelling between the services - most notably pitting the navy against the army and the Royal Air Force.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Now, Troiano said, his organization is focused on fighting bills in about a dozen states that would close party primaries to independent voters.—
Eric McDaniel,
NPR,
30 May 2026
-
The Hema and Lendu ethnic groups have been fighting over land and minerals in the gold-rich province of Ituri since the Second Congo War in the late 1990s and early 2000s.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
30 May 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
-
The squabbling brothers of the north west.—
Ian Irving,
New York Times,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Trump officials are taking a hard-line approach against any use of race in admissions, clashing with colleges that invite students to discuss their race in application essays.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
-
The firing follows Pelley allegedly clashing with Bilton during a tense staff meeting at 60 Minutes, per both The New York Times and The Guardian.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Despite the ferocious domestic rivalries, the Tartan Army is considered among the world’s friendliest football fans, known for singing and mingling instead of brawling (even if only while their national team is playing).—
Laura Dannen Redman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 May 2026
-
This game is the ultimate in brawling adventure.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Then there’s the push and pull of wrangling with City Hall.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
27 May 2026
-
In the video, shared on Kennedy's personal X account Tuesday, the health secretary is seen wrangling the snakes with his bare hands, holding the creatures up to the camera as his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, cheers him on in the background.—
Mason Leib,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bickering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bickering. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
