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
Someone on the bench started bickering with Cameroon’s first goalscorer, Junior Tchamadeu, during a break in play.
—
Jay Harris, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The Federal Reserve chair and the president stood stiffly, side by side, in matching hard hats, bickering on a building site, for all the world to see.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 Dec. 2025
Giving every child an indexed stake in the economy at birth is a rare example of a policy that compounds while politicians are bickering.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
The prosecutor told jurors that Flores had been bickering with and mocking the man, who was heavily restrained and moving slowly, while escorting him to a courthouse holding cell after the man had a court hearing last August.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bickering
Jay Harris, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The Federal Reserve chair and the president stood stiffly, side by side, in matching hard hats, bickering on a building site, for all the world to see.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 Dec. 2025
Giving every child an indexed stake in the economy at birth is a rare example of a policy that compounds while politicians are bickering.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
The prosecutor told jurors that Flores had been bickering with and mocking the man, who was heavily restrained and moving slowly, while escorting him to a courthouse holding cell after the man had a court hearing last August.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bickering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bickering
Verb
-
Some residents and community groups say conditions around MacArthur Park remain far from resolved, arguing that drug activity and safety concerns persist despite recent enforcement and outreach efforts.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Citadel Securities published a blistering takedown of the Citrini essay, noting, for instance, that demand for software engineers is up 11% year over year, and more broadly arguing that productivity shocks have historically expanded output and raised real incomes.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Her father, after quarreling with Antigone’s mother, locked her out of their house overnight, which led to a terrible accident.—
Rachel Vorona Cote,
The Atlantic,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Lydon’s revelation comes after years of quarreling with guitarist Steve Jones, bassist Glen Matlock, and drummer Paul Cook.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Nearby, pigeons are fighting over what, horrifyingly, appears to be a chicken strip.—
Addie Citchens,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The ferocity of Iran’s attacks on America’s Gulf allies, and the regime’s determination to keep fighting, have already come as a nasty surprise to him.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That’s not because its member countries have suddenly stopped squabbling or its bureaucratic inertia has melted away.—
Joseph de Weck,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Hulu Sometimes, after a long day at work, there's nothing more comforting than watching a bunch of richer-than-rich investors squabbling over the inventions of eager entrepreneurs.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
These modern takes on bright red will still provide warmth and drama to the room without overwhelming the space or clashing with other design elements.—
Tessa Cooper,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Capes, fearless pattern clashing, and polished leather accessories defined Milan Fashion Week street style.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This fuels an insatiable anger and bloodlust in Baldur, who favors a brawling fighting style that blends his immense power with the raw impact of his fists.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Videos recorded at the scene appeared to show Danis brawling with Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Magomed Zaynukov, both teammates of Makhachev.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
16 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Kayce’s days are spent wrangling horses, and his evenings being haunted by nightmares of tragedies past.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Feb. 2026
-
That left Olympic skating besties Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir (Faithfuls) in a tight battle versus singer Eric Nam and snake wrangling hearthrob Rob Rausch (Traitors).—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bickering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bickering. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
