falling-out 1 of 2

noun

ˌfȯ-liŋ-ˈau̇t How to pronounce falling-out (audio)
Definition of falling-outnext
as in altercation
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions the two friends have been lonely and miserable since they had a falling-out

Synonyms & Similar Words

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falling out

2 of 2

verb

present participle of fall out
1
as in bickering
to express different opinions about something often angrily club members were soon falling out about how to spend the money they'd made washing cars

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in proving
to come to be I had planned to have a sports career, but things fell out otherwise

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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 falling-out
Noun
The end came not because of any grand falling-out but simply because some of us assumed new priorities. — Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 11 July 2026 Whenever a romantic comedy reaches the central couple’s big falling-out, my wife shoots me a look. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 July 2026
Verb
Journalists identified the source of the album as Beck’s falling out with Leigh, and critics revered the LP as proof Beck had grown up as a songwriter, abandoning the old doggerel. — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026 The Giants, however, first have to focus on preventing the bottom from falling out. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for falling-out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falling-out
  1. altercation
  2. bickering
  3. proving
  4. quarrel
  5. fighting
  6. coming out
  7. dispute
  8. arguing
Noun
  • The airline confirmed the flight from LAX landed at JFK ahead of schedule with no additional impacts, at which time law enforcement responded to reports of the altercation.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
  • In 2023, Greenlaw was ejected following a sideline altercation with Philadelphia Eagles head of security Dom DiSandro during another incident along the opponent's sideline.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of altercation
Verb
  • Like law enforcement agents everywhere, they’re disposed to bickering about jurisdiction or pumping each other for off-limits information.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
  • There’s striker Josie Gordon, bickering twin sisters Siobhan and Niamh, glove-shunning goalie Katie ‘Boots’ Quinn and couple Maddie and Margy.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of bickering
Verb
  • Patent knee-high boots brought edge, while her now-signature purple scarf added a vibrant pop—proving that even minimalists appreciate a jolt of color.
    — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The property is debuting as a member of Leading Hotels of the World, ushering in a new era of luxury for the area, and proving that, yes, chic and fabulous things can happen on either side of the Intracoastal.
    — Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of proving
Noun
  • Aly’s quarrel begins with a name; Luna’s arrives at the rank implied by father.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The overtones of social significance are adroitly handled and make real sense in an era of tragic international quarrels.
    — THR Staff, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of quarrel
Verb
  • Rather than fighting strict local regulations head-on, companies like Waymo, Zoox, and Aurora are prioritizing states with explicit legislative preemption that prevents individual cities from banning the technology.
    — Andrew Hawkins, The Verge, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The procedure had already been approved, and everyone involved understood that my doctor had spent months fighting to secure authorization.
    — Scott Levenson, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of fighting
Verb
  • Husky fans are coming out, and the team is playing some good football.
    — Eric Womack, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
  • So, my character is just coming out of jail and able to be in the tournament with the rest of them.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of coming out
Noun
  • Several other important artifacts of Mexica origin that have been part of repatriation disputes are also currently housed at the Weltmuseum.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The dispute emerged as a rare point of overt contention in last week’s bankruptcy hearing, which was dominated by the news that golfer Jon Rahm would be parting ways with the LIV Golf.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of dispute
Verb
  • By arguing for the necessity of the chains of deportation today, Vance makes an eerily similar case.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Good luck enforcing Potemkin guarantees from hyperscalers or arguing that local protests excuse a construction delay that blew a hole in the financing.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of arguing

Browse Nearby Words

falling on one's face
falling-out
falling out
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Cite this Entry

“Falling-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falling-out. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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