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
Britain agreed to do so in a draft deal in October, but that has been delayed by a change of government in Mauritius and reported quarrels over how much the U.K. should pay for the lease of the Diego Garcia air base. Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025 Victor Bautista got into an argument with his killer in front of NYCHA’s Moore Houses, across the street from troubled St. Mary’s Park, in Mott Haven about 7:45 a.m. As the quarrel escalated, the gunman shot Bautista in the chest near Trinity Ave. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
Verb
Conservative talk-radio host John Reid became the de facto nominee for lieutenant governor after his primary opponent left the race, and despite intraparty quarreling. CBS News, 17 June 2025 Split in their reactions on how to deal with the invaders, the community begins by quarrelling at emergency meeting called to thrash out a strategy regarding the foxes as tensions between its members escalate towards the very violence attributed to the invading beasts. John Hopewell, Variety, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for quarrel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quarrel
Noun
  • But there are still some sour grapes about the big tactical dispute in February.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 14 July 2025
  • Threads on the South Park subreddit and social media have lit up with foul-mouthed complaints from international fans, most of them directed at Paramount and David Ellison’s Skydance Media, whose $8 billion buyout of Paramount is at the heart of the South Park dispute.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • As officials bickered over who had the right to investigate, the crime scene was overrun by gawkers who pocketed souvenirs and tampered with crucial evidence — including an unknown man’s handkerchief, a pair of glasses and the gun used in the murder.
    Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 27 June 2025
  • Trump withdrew his nomination of Isaacman as the president bickered with Musk in the waning days of the billionaire's formal involvement with the White House.
    Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Back in May, former Washington Commanders running back Adrian Peterson went viral for his involvement in a physical altercation at a poker game in Houston, Texas.
    Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
  • These men appear to have been more closely involved in the altercation, based on police reports in the case file.
    Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • What made the transformation into a cinematic cut possible was the high quality of the game, argued Pekař.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2025
  • Critics have argued that families in poverty have more immediate needs and that their children should receive a larger endowment if the goal is to help level the playing field.
    MORIAH BALINGIT, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • Internal disagreements among board members further complicate SDC's situation.
    Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 18 July 2025
  • Because of this, students should note that the topic of the disagreement matters far less than how the disagreement illuminates the student’s capacity for reflection, listening, and growth.
    Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Verb
  • The team is also fighting injuries within the starting rotation.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
  • In 2024, Baumgardner and Delfine Persoon fought to a no contest.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • What To Know An Atlas Intel poll of 1,935 Americans conducted amid the heat of the Epstein controversy, between July 13 and 18, found that Bondi's approval rating has dropped significantly since she was confirmed in February.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
  • Taylor Swift's surprise mural appearance and the controversy surrounding the sale of her masters to Scooter Braun added to the city's buzz.
    Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 19 July 2025
Verb
  • The first is that when U.S. soldiers returned from the war there, protesters spat upon them in disdain.
    Jonathan Zimmerman, Foreign Affairs, 19 May 2016
  • The flare comes after nearly a week of flares and coronal plasma ejections spat toward the planet that threatened disruptions to power and communications systems on Earth.
    Greg Wehner, Fox News, 15 May 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Quarrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quarrel. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.

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