QUARRELSOME Synonyms: 147 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'quarrelsome' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of quarrelsome are bellicose , belligerent , contentious , and pugnacious . While all these words mean "having an aggressive or fighting attitude," quarrelsome stresses an ill-natured readiness to fight without good cause. // the heat made us all quarrelsome

Q: When might 'bellicose' be a better fit than 'quarrelsome'?

The words bellicose and quarrelsome can be used in similar contexts, but bellicose suggests a disposition to fight. // a drunk in a bellicose mood

Q: In what contexts can 'belligerent' take the place of 'quarrelsome'?

Although the words belligerent and quarrelsome have much in common, belligerent often implies being actually at war or engaged in hostilities. // belligerent nations

Q: When is it sensible to use 'contentious' instead of 'quarrelsome'?

While the synonyms contentious and quarrelsome are close in meaning, contentious implies perverse and irritating fondness for arguing and quarreling. // wearied by his contentious disposition

Q: When can 'pugnacious' be used instead of 'quarrelsome'?

In some situations, the words pugnacious and quarrelsome are roughly equivalent. However, pugnacious suggests a disposition that takes pleasure in personal combat. // a pugnacious gangster

quarrelsome

adjective

ˈkwȯr(-ə)l-səm

Definition of quarrelsome

as in aggressive

feeling or displaying eagerness to fight a quarrelsome student who was always being sent to the principal's office for starting fights in the halls

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in contentious

given to arguing you're so quarrelsome: you can never do anything without a fuss

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word quarrelsome distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of quarrelsome are bellicose, belligerent, contentious, and pugnacious. While all these words mean "having an aggressive or fighting attitude," quarrelsome stresses an ill-natured readiness to fight without good cause.

the heat made us all quarrelsome

When might bellicose be a better fit than quarrelsome?

The words bellicose and quarrelsome can be used in similar contexts, but bellicose suggests a disposition to fight.

a drunk in a bellicose mood

In what contexts can belligerent take the place of quarrelsome?

Although the words belligerent and quarrelsome have much in common, belligerent often implies being actually at war or engaged in hostilities.

belligerent nations

When is it sensible to use contentious instead of quarrelsome?

While the synonyms contentious and quarrelsome are close in meaning, contentious implies perverse and irritating fondness for arguing and quarreling.

wearied by his contentious disposition

When can pugnacious be used instead of quarrelsome?

In some situations, the words pugnacious and quarrelsome are roughly equivalent. However, pugnacious suggests a disposition that takes pleasure in personal combat.

a pugnacious gangster

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 quarrelsome The only thing that puts wind in The Disappear’s heavy sails is the real people attempting to give some sense of depth, breadth, and humor to the near-caricatures on stage — especially the play’s quarrelsome leads. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 19 Jan. 2026 And what’s most important — indeed the principal reason for protecting the existence of a noisy, quarrelsome, factious, muckraking free press in our republic — is accountability. — Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2025 All arms come from coal and steel and integrated industries would stop Europe’s most quarrelsome countries waging war on one another. — Sara Stridsberg september 15, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025 He’s installed a pair of Brits, Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, as the quarrelsome couple, and there are no two finer actors to take on the tangle of insults penned by Tony McNamara, who wrote the screenplay. — Katie Walsh, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for quarrelsome

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quarrelsome

Adjective

But Adebayo was aggressive and found a rhythm early on, totaling 24 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the field and 8-of-9 shooting from the foul line, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals on Wednesday.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
That is leading to unprecedented support for more aggressive federal action on health care.

— Bob Herman, STAT, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of aggressive

Adjective

Another particularly contentious ad released last month featured two local politicians calling on Vang to be fired.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026
The more contentious scenario would be akin to 1976, when Republicans filibustered until a new election was held for a Senate seat in New Hampshire.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of contentious

Adjective

The ministry described the confrontation as an assault on militant positions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
More than 1,550 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed by the Israeli military since the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas began in October 2025, according to the territory's health ministry.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of militant

Adjective

But Lamont says the consumers are actually paying less this year than last year due to the complicated nuances of the controversial public benefits charges.

— Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
The agency has become controversial over aggressive immigration enforcement tactics that precipitated a government shutdown earlier this year.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of controversial

Adjective

Defeat effectiveness exceeded approximately 75 to 80 percent, while operator observations indicated the system was even more effective at preventing hostile UAS from successfully completing their missions.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
Yet another challenge came from the local community, which has historically been hostile to new development.

— Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of hostile

Adjective

Speaking a few weeks after the launch of Tom Cruise-starring satirical polemic Digger, Wishart feels docs and features about this subject matter have become overly preachy.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026
The title that evokes Ernest Hemingway points at the polemical nature of some of the essays in the book.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of polemical

Adjective

Murray says her own experience has made her more understanding when female colleagues seem more tired or irritable than usual, particularly when the behavior is out of character.

— Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
Could be because for much of the running time, Abrams’ Jay Gardiner is up against what looks like a very large irritable sphincter.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of irritable

Adjective

An honor that seems to bring things full circle for that stubborn little girl who dreamed of performing on stages around the world from her farm.

— Ilaria Perrotta, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026
How To Remove Leaf Stains With Chlorine Bleach Bleach is very effective at removing stubborn leaf stains, along with mildew and moss.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of stubborn

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“Quarrelsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quarrelsome. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of quarrelsome

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