as in quarrelling
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!
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bickering
The pair grow up frequently bickering with each other but begin dating in high school—only to end their relationship on bad terms when Seok Ji-won abruptly leaves town with his family.
—
Regina Kim, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
The sellers are Lydia (Lisa Kudrow) and Paul (Ray Romano), bickering empty nesters saddled with financial woes and a dark secret.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
Right out of the gate, the brothers are in a contentious mood, needling each other with elbows and bickering like little siblings.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2024
Lehane urged some of the largest crypto investors and companies, many of whom were bickering on Twitter, to instead form a coalition devoted to changing the public narrative.
—Charles Duhigg, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bickering
Regina Kim, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
The sellers are Lydia (Lisa Kudrow) and Paul (Ray Romano), bickering empty nesters saddled with financial woes and a dark secret.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
Right out of the gate, the brothers are in a contentious mood, needling each other with elbows and bickering like little siblings.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2024
Lehane urged some of the largest crypto investors and companies, many of whom were bickering on Twitter, to instead form a coalition devoted to changing the public narrative.
—Charles Duhigg, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bickering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bickering
Verb
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Will the two be allowed to wed, or will Ellen’s brothers, quarrelling over their father’s chair, bargain her off to other suitors to improve their chances?—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Spanberger has called for the state government to stay out of decisions about who uses what bathrooms and locker rooms, arguing that's best left up to parents, teachers, students, and their school districts.—
Margaret Barthel,
NPR,
16 Oct. 2025
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Easley has voted against a few proposals made by Superintendent Hill, including the SYDKIMYL contract extension and this year’s budget, arguing its teacher raises were too small.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Just, even that last play, keeping his composure, fighting like hell to get the ball off, and threw a hell of a ball.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
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Most of the fighting fans seemed to be escorted away from the section The scene returned to normal, and Cromwell said everyone went back to simply praying for the Bengals to win.—
Ed Lavandera,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Rather than the large swath of private equity firms that backed LBOs over the years, with investors sometimes squabbling over strategy and straining under heavy debt loads, the new-model buyouts have fewer and deeper-pocketed sponsors.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
26 Sep. 2025
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The year is 1868 and Benjamin Guinness, the richest man in the country, has just died, leaving his four squabbling adult children to try and carry on the family’s legacy.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The two entities have a history of clashing over differences.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Oct. 2025
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Since the ceasefire took effect, armed members of the group have already redeployed in parts of the strip, clashing with other groups and clans opposing it.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The soldiers’ pastimes of drinking, gambling, and brawling also offended many Bostonians, who retained the piety of their Pilgrim ancestors.—
Time,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
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Sports could be dangerous even without brawling in UFC’s Octagon, an eight-sided cage.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There’s sure to be more industry wrangling among studios, guilds, lawyers and judges over the parameters of how AI is used in a profressional context.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
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Being a Snake Wrangler Professional guidance on snake wrangling emphasizes calmness, control and minimizing harm to both the snake and humans.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bickering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bickering. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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