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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Jones and Richards had a falling-out over actress and model Anita Pallenberg, who was Jones’s girlfriend before Richards moved in on her. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 July 2026 Pop is pure feeling, and U chronicles falling-outs, friendzonings, and other emotional events that are small in the grand scheme of life but still excruciating. — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 28 May 2026
Verb
The timing seems less than ideal, as the Current are at risk of falling out of a playoff spot with a relatively green coach in Chris Armas at the helm. — Emily Olsen, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 There is no evidence linking hard water to hair falling out at the root. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 14 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
  • Police have launched a homicide investigation after a man died from injuries suffered in an altercation that was initially reported as a possible strong-arm robbery, a police spokesman said.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2026
  • To illustrate Daniel’s progress, Shaikh recounted an altercation Daniel had while leading a Friday evening prayer service in jail.
    — Jeff Winter, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 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
  • Upworthy is already proving what that can look like, turning the conversations in our Instagram comments into a New York Times bestselling book.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Vishnu Mohta, co-founder of Hoichoi and LoglineAI, said the first decade had been about proving a language-first platform could build a meaningful global business.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of proving
Noun
  • 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
  • Unlike Christian priests and medicine men, who generally command respect, rainmakers are sometimes seen as malicious people who retaliate against whole communities for quarrels with their neighbors.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of quarrel
Verb
  • Yemeni government forces – backed by Saudi airstrikes and a blockade of Houthi areas – started fighting the Houthis more than a decade ago.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The Tigray Peace Force is fighting alongside federal troops against the TPLF.
    — Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of fighting
Verb
  • Still, the fact that a movie is coming out that will get people talking about our relationship to Facebook and Instagram feels significant in its own right.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Police said security camera footage showed the man believed to be the suspect entering the hotel with the victim and coming out alone.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of coming out
Noun
  • To join the plan, each one had to check a box, agreeing to use arbitration to settle any dispute.
    — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Bracing for a ‘wave of disputes’ Take-or-pay contracts have their origins in the energy sector, where long and capital-intensive production timelines justified a similar legal ultimatum.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of dispute
Verb
  • Savan Pourharton wants to sell beer from the GG Mart on Farmington Avenue at Wannowmassa Lane, arguing that the convenience store part of his business could qualify as a grocery store.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Justices Elena Kagan, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Sonia Sotomayor dissented, arguing that allowing the case to move forward prevents the lower court from considering Pike’s allegations from her childhood.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of arguing

Browse Nearby Words

falling on one's face
falling-out
falling out
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Falling-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falling-out. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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