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

On the new series, some House of Stassi castmembers raised their quarrels with Maloney joining their cast. — Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026 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

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

Gilbertson’s involvement in the ports grew out of a series of chaotic mergers that in the 1990s led to endless disputes among shippers and the railroads about whose cargo would move first.

— John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Trump declined to endorse Thune for a future term as leader amid disputes over passing the SAVE America Act and eliminating the filibuster.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of disputes

Noun

For example, in Ozaukee County disagreements near Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve have prompted discussion of permanent signs and a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources determination establishing the ordinary high-water mark.

— Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Between small celebrations, hospital visits and disagreements about how to care for her, a mysterious presence of bulls begins to surround the house.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of disagreements

Noun

Tchouameni and Valverde were involved in two separate altercations, a day apart, in May, with the latter taken to hospital to undergo assessments after sustaining a head injury during the second incident.

— Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
After marching from Crocker Park in downtown Sacramento, the protest groups engaged in verbal and physical altercations across a barricade formed by law enforcement officers.

— Hannah Ruhoff, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of altercations

Verb

An audit team, Chiodo argues, needs expertise that mirrors the development team, role for role.

— Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026
Paula Goldman, Salesforce’s chief ethical and humane use officer, argues there’s currently a big opportunity to redesign work around the complementary strengths of humans and AI.

— Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of argues

Verb

Paul clashes with Neeley, Matthews, and Draper before storming out of the party, only to return and continue arguing with the group.

— Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
According to The Ankler, the film’s plot centers on a Black reenactor at a historical slave plantation museum who clashes with the Midwest town’s racist mayor, played by Parker.

— Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026