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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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

Herzog won a power struggle in the front office, then quit anyway, amid disputes with ownership.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
According to Castillo, one of the most significant failures has been the tendency to treat many squatter complaints as civil disputes rather than criminal investigations.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of disputes

Noun

The disagreements were intelligent, experienced, and specific — and reading them in bulk did not soften my view.

— Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Recent tensions over immigration enforcement The allegations follow recent disagreements between Abarca and Forté over a legislative hearing examining local agencies’ involvement in a federal operation at La Fontanella Foods.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026

Definition of disagreements

Verb

Along the way, our hero encounters the sorceress Circe, who turns his companions into pigs; makes a descent into Hades; fights the song of the sirens; and survives the island of the nymph Calypso.

— Valentina Colosimo, Vanity Fair, 14 July 2026
Rising through the ranks as a gladiator, Maximus fights his way back to Rome to seek vengeance and restore honor to the Empire.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Definition of fights

Noun

Retired Miami Heat forward and captain Udonis Haslem found himself in more than a few altercations during his NBA playing career.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
Multiple officials say that players are advised, outside of training sessions, to remain in the hotel complexes at all times to avoid any risk of altercations or safety risks in public.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of altercations

Verb

However, Chad Nelsen, CEO of the Surfrider Foundation, argues that California’s beach access laws and tradition are well established and should have come as no surprise to someone capable of purchasing 53 acres of prime shoreline.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 16 July 2026
Trump has been pushing Republicans to pass the SAVE America Act, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) argues that the GOP doesn’t have the 60 votes needed to pass the legislation.

— Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 16 July 2026

Definition of argues

Noun

These controversies highlighted broader concerns regarding consistency, predictability, and transparency in the drug review process.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 14 July 2026
The works are scheduled to go on display in Europe, and the trove’s impending departure has ignited one of Mexico’s most heated cultural controversies in recent memory.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026