quarrel 1 of 2

quarrel

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun quarrel contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of quarrel are altercation, squabble, and wrangle. While all these words mean "a noisy dispute usually marked by anger," quarrel implies heated verbal contention, stressing strained or severed relations which may persist beyond the contention.

a quarrel nearly destroyed the relationship

When would altercation be a good substitute for quarrel?

The words altercation and quarrel can be used in similar contexts, but altercation implies fighting with words as the chief weapon, although it may also connote blows.

a loud public altercation

When can squabble be used instead of quarrel?

The synonyms squabble and quarrel are sometimes interchangeable, but squabble stresses childish and unseemly dispute over petty matters, but it need not imply bitterness or anger.

a brief squabble over what to do next

When is it sensible to use wrangle instead of quarrel?

While the synonyms wrangle and quarrel are close in meaning, wrangle suggests undignified and often futile disputation with a noisy insistence on differing opinions.

wrangle interminably about small issues

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 quarrel
Noun
While unconfirmed, we’re told that the film sees Louise, the alcoholic mother of Mike (Hechinger) and Tommy, take off after a quarrel with her husband Lester — walking with her dog to the home of her brother Frank, quite a few miles away. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025 The quarrel continued to escalate, spurring Ates to send the man his location. Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
Another by-product of Pogacar’s decision is that Ayuso and Almeida are now co-leaders — riders which have not always historically seen eye to eye after quarrelling at last year’s Tour de France. Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 29 July 2025 After more quarreling between the drivers and people on the sidewalk, authorities said Williams pulled a gun from his waistband and fired four shots at the back of the Nissan, striking the girl. Shanzeh Ahmad, Chicago Tribune, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for quarrel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quarrel
Noun
  • The dispute was heard by an arbitrator (and not a judge) because, per SPAC language and accompanying NBPA regulations, player-agent disputes are subject to arbitration.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The dishwasher was made in America, though there is some dispute over who did it.
    Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Jennifer Aniston’s Alex Levy, Reese Witherspoon’s Bradley Jackson, and the other members of The Morning Show’s newsroom and its network are once again bickering and backstabbing.
    Emma Alpern, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Coaches are also bickering about money, a topic that would have felt out of place 10 years ago.
    Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Student accused of mocking Charlie Kirk death Camryn Giselle Booker, a student at Texas Tech University, was arrested on charges of assault after an altercation with students mourning the death of Charlie Kirk.
    Amanda Castro Hannah Parry Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Campus police arrested a student at Texas Tech University in connection to an altercation with students who were mourning the death of Charlie Kirk, officials confirmed.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Penske’s complaint argues that practice isn’t a fair exchange and has caused significant financial harm, with the company’s affiliate revenue falling by more than a third (as a result of Google’s AI Overviews co-opting traffic that might have otherwise gone to Penske outlets).
    Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Critics and rights groups argued that both the ban and the bill function as tools for censorship, threatening freedom of expression, press freedom and fundamental rights.
    Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The September 12 report shared that RBW had actually fired Lee in August, citing declining profitability, management difficulties, and disagreements over new artist direction.
    Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Its first-ever color feature, In the Shadow of Honor, which was going to be filmed in Indonesia, was canceled due to disagreements between the two countries related to colonial war reparations.
    Michael Taube, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • How do Flock cameras help fight crime?
    Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
  • These medications can lower the number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that helps fight bacterial infections.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Purdy has his share of critics, and such critics may claim that continued fine play from Jones could set up a bit of a quarterback controversy in San Francisco.
    Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Skip to content One summer in Brooklyn, a controversy broke out in my dog-park group chat.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Mulroney, Ackerman, Snow, and Newman turn this story of spatting WAGS into an explosive, addictive watch.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2025
  • Preparation has cultural and regional variations, but the seed is usually chewed with slaked lime and betel leaves, and chewing releases a red juice that's often then spat out.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Quarrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quarrel. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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