spat 1 of 2

noun

Definition of spatnext
as in altercation
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions like any couple, they have their spats

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spat

2 of 2

verb

as in to bicker
to express different opinions about something often angrily we tend to spat over money more than anything else

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 spat
Noun
In the run-up to next month’s US-China presidential summit, another tit-for-tat trade spat is brewing. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026 In November, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi even sparked a diplomatic spat with Beijing by saying that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
The flare comes after nearly a week of flares and coronal plasma ejections spat toward the planet that threatened disruptions to power and communications systems on Earth. — Greg Wehner, Fox News, 15 May 2024 Israeli media reported that coalition lawmaker Simcha Rothman had joined a Sukkot march during which ultra-Orthodox Jews spat at churches. — Julia Frankel The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2023 See All Example Sentences for spat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spat
  1. altercation
  2. bicker
  3. dispute
  4. argue
  5. quarrel
  6. fight
  7. controversy
  8. brawl
Noun
  • The two got into an altercation, and a third person intervened to help the victim.
    — Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Advertisement The altercation took place after Shakur and Knight attended Mike Tyson’s boxing match at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
    — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of altercation
Verb
  • There’s striker Josie Gordon, bickering twin sisters Siobhan and Niamh, glove-shunning goalie Katie ‘Boots’ Quinn and couple Maddie and Margy.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Still bloody in last night’s clothing, the two fill a cart with candy and bicker contentedly about the state of the candy industry—arguably also a wink at the state of film.
    — JP Mangalindan, Time, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of bicker
Noun
  • The switch to in-person court hearings drew immediate criticism and Johnston in October 2025 agreed to reinstate an online dispute process.
    — Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2026
  • President Volodymyr Zelensky formally dismissed Fedorov on July 15, citing disputes with the former commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, who himself was dismissed on July 21.
    — David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of dispute
Verb
  • Alex Wagner, who served as assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs during the Biden administration, argued recruiting has remained remarkably insulated from those political battles.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • But others take issue with her premise the exercises are unnecessary, arguing that scaling them back puts US forces –– almost 30,000 of them stationed in South Korea and over 50,000 more in nearby Japan –– in a more dangerous situation.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of argue
Noun
  • As the quarrel escalated, the man stabbed her multiple times all over her body in the park near Eastern Parkway and Rochester Ave.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The quarrel turned physical, and one of the three men pulled a gun and shot the victim, police said.
    — Liz Miller, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of quarrel
Verb
  • The 63-year-old was born in the central city of Esfahan and volunteered to fight in the Iraq-Iran war as a teenager, along with tens of thousands of young Iranians.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Pathogens are microorganisms known to cause numerous diseases in their host, meaning Bifidobacterium animalis may help fight certain diseases.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of fight
Noun
  • Some controversy arose when New Hampshire was not proposed to be in the first spot, despite a state law requiring the state hold first-in-the-nation primaries.
    — Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The delay is considered the first controversy of the country’s new government, led by conservative President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office on Friday.
    — Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of controversy
Verb
  • The perils of brawling with a bin Professor Tonge puts the likelihood of an upset at around 30%.
    — Mark Rice-Oxley, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Punk and Rhodes brawled as WWE officials pulled them apart before SmackDown went off the air.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of brawl

Browse Nearby Words

spastic paralysis
spat
spate
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Cite this Entry

“Spat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spat. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spat

Nglish: Translation of spat for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spat

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