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

And this sort of confrontation has become more common in recent years as Beijing has taken a more aggressive stance.

— Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
By balancing strict fiscal management with an aggressive plan to diversify support and expand with new donors, the organization aims to ensure long-term stability while continuing to deliver high-quality artistic programming to Charlotte.

— Catherine Muccigrosso July 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026

Definition of aggressive

Adjective

In the meantime, the deadly encounter has reignited a contentious debate about body cameras, one that has long vexed local officials and pitted some of the city’s progressive groups against each other.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
Now its rise is intensifying an already contentious race between the US and China to dominate cutting-edge AI.

— John Liu, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

Definition of contentious

Adjective

That militant arm of the Democratic Party kept Black voters from going to the polls, sometimes by violence, The Observer reported.

— Chase Jordan July 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
So far, the Houthis have been unable or unwilling to enforce the blockade that the militant group announced Tuesday.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of militant

Adjective

Any deal to give Saudi Arabia nuclear technology could prove controversial, both domestically and within the wider Middle East region.

— Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Brady’s most recent interactions with the controversial wrestler, 31, have sparked debate online about the former quarterback’s career trajectory.

— Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026

Definition of controversial

Adjective

The instinct most change-makers follow is to spend their energy converting the hostile 10%.

— Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
The three companies intend to develop integrated solutions capable of detecting, tracking and defeating hostile drones operating in maritime environments, where protecting ships and offshore assets presents unique operational challenges.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026

Definition of hostile

Adjective

Perelman said people who have weakened immune systems and those with irritable bowel disease may want to talk to their doctors before incorporating the foods into their diet.

— Devi Shastri, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
The symptoms are so delayed that people often blame them on food poisoning, irritable-bowel syndrome, gluten intolerance.

— Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Definition of irritable

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“Quarrelsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quarrelsome. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of quarrelsome

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