QUARRELS Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

quarrels 1 of 2

noun

plural of quarrel

as in disputes

an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions a loud quarrel erupted at the next table over

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quarrels

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of quarrel

as in bickers

to express different opinions about something often angrily the coach and the referee quarreled about whether the ball was in bounds

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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 quarrels

Noun

Candi is the family mediator Like any father-daughter coaching dynamic, Corey and Coco have had their fair share of quarrels on the tennis court. — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026 Rounding out the top five names were seven write-in votes for the Sacramento Capitals or Capitols — which could be nicknamed the Caps to avoid quarrels over the spelling — and six votes for the Sacramento Stingers or Sting, referencing the collegiate Sacramento State Hornets. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026 In a 2024 study, researchers found that chimpanzee mothers tended to step in to defend their children in quarrels—say, over food or space in a tree—in about half of cases the researchers observed in the wild. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 10 May 2026 As the trio quarrels, bonds and ventures through the wild unknown, Felix discovers that true bravery may change not only his own destiny, but also the future of his home. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 May 2026 Today the Moon in your sign is at odds with fiery Mars, hinting at domestic quarrels and problems. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026 His quarrels with Massie and interest in relitigating the 2020 election seem to animate him more, too. — W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026 This is the style that Newsom has employed on broadcasts with figures like Kirk and in public quarrels with Joe Rogan. — Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026 Some of the quarrels that divided Minneapolis city leaders only a few weeks ago, over policing or Gaza or the budget, have faded as people have come together to oppose ICE. — Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026

Verb

The three bills also are not the first headline-grabbing action from Schroer, who serves as chair of the Senate’s hard-right Freedom Caucus, which frequently quarrels with GOP leadership. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quarrels

Noun

The article also underscores that most ordinary voters pay little or no attention to these calendar disputes, implicitly criticizing party insiders for obsessing over process while the public is focused on daily life and more immediate concerns.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
And the vast majority of disputes are being won by providers, who are getting payouts that can far exceed the industry standard.

— Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of disputes

Noun

Health insurers and hospitals tend to keep their contracts confidential, but, judging from each party’s previous comments, disagreements over reimbursement rates were a key issue throughout the negotiations.

— Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Galanis' testimony offered jurors a glimpse into the family's disagreements over Melina's travel arrangements and her growing concerns about Frattolin's travel plans with their daughter months before Melina's death.

— Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of disagreements

Verb

This facilitated a new segment at the end of this movie where Hathaway fights a hallucinatory version of the Nu Gundam piloted by Amuro.

— Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Dan Na Ambassagou, a militia group that fights against Fulanis, accusing them of harboring Islamist groups, was once embraced by the government but has now been denounced.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026

Definition of fights

Noun

In court filings, ex-wife Emily Moreno alleged that Miller has repeatedly had physical and verbal altercations with her attorney, Andrew Zashin, after recent court hearings in an ongoing custody battle.

— Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 31 July 2026
She's also stood up for Caitlin Clark when some, uh, jealous opponents have gone after her with overly physical fouls or altercations, which instantly increased her popularity among Clark's massive fan base.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of altercations

Verb

San Jose argues there's no reasonable expectation of privacy on public roads, pointing to a California appeals court decision that allowed police to access traffic camera footage of a murder suspect without a warrant.

— Maddie White, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
In a new paper, Zahavy argues that current large language models (LLMs) may be unable to make original discoveries on their own.

— Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of argues

Noun

As Crowley sprinted across the state to capture undecided voters, Hong was batting down controversies.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
But controversies tied to the people around him — most recently antisemitic and white nationalist social media posts by his son-in-law — have dogged him throughout his campaign.

— Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026