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
Fraternal security Gulf states have had significant internal quarrels over the years but remain bound by mutual defense treaties signed decades ago. Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025 What Zagajewski had in mind, perhaps, is the encomium, praise as a classical enterprise—the verb alone intimates the mode of speech at the heart of the ancient quarrel between poetry and philosophy itself, tracing back to Plato and before. Elaine L. Wang september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
As a couple, Erin, who runs an equestrian center at her home in Reno, and Serafini, who since 2017 had worked as an equipment operator at a remote Nevada gold mine, often quarreled with Gary and Wendy. Chris Spargo, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for quarrel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quarrel
Noun
  • Musk later cited the pay dispute as part of the reason why Tesla shifted its corporate home to Texas from Delaware.
    Kara Carlson, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Here’s how a community dispute escalated into a deadly tragedy.
    Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The pair bicker and bond their way through the whimsical Panda Kingdom, a vibrant world that blends the everyday with the extraordinary, carrying animals and humans alike into something at once magical and mundane.
    Ben Croll, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Roberts and Tim Robbins play American journalists in Paris who lose their luggage and bicker over a hotel room and then wind up in bed together.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • During the altercation, Lind drew a gun and fired off shots, killing Emma Borhanian, one of the Zizians.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The investigation showed the incident began as a road rage event, initially a verbal altercation, involving the occupants of a pair of vehicles, the release states.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In fact, little of that story line, Androsoff argues, is backed up by historical evidence.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2025
  • At the time, Cortese argued the tax was needed to address significant and growing budget challenges.
    Mercury News Editorial, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • After days of chaos and disagreement at the IMO talks, Singapore put forward a motion to delay the decision on Friday, which was called to a vote by Saudi Arabia.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The dual actors’ and writers’ strikes disrupted plans to release the movie in the fall of 2023, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter, and from there, strategic disagreements between the studio and MacLachlan led to a dissolution of the relationship.
    David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The line occurs when the film’s protagonist, Ripley (Weaver), emerges from an elevator in a giant metal bodysuit, ready to fight a terrifying alien to save a young child.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Season-long struggles; still fighting Charlotte has five games left on the schedule, starting with North Texas (6-1, 2-1 American) next Friday night on ESPN2.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • His political director quit the two-month-old campaign, and the candidate apologized — but now Platner is taking a rare, risky approach by leaning into the controversy.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Appointments follow months of policy controversy The appointments mark the next step taken by Sumner County conservatives to pass the controversial policy, which has seen substantial pushback for First Amendment concerns.
    Angele Latham, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Oct. 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 22 Oct. 2025.

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