as in altercation
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
like any couple, they have their spats
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of spat
Matthew Smith, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
And there is precedent for a World Cup being split among rival nations; the 2002 tournament was shared between Japan and South Korea and was marked by some mild diplomatic spats.
—Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
Julia Frankel The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2023
The one charged with assault spat on a person, while the others spat towards people, police said to explain the different charges.
—Kareem Khadder, CNN, 4 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for spat
Noun
Nowhere have such spats been more ironic than in Vance’s rebuke of the pope.
—Matthew Smith, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
And there is precedent for a World Cup being split among rival nations; the 2002 tournament was shared between Japan and South Korea and was marked by some mild diplomatic spats.
—Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
Verb
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
The one charged with assault spat on a person, while the others spat towards people, police said to explain the different charges.
—Kareem Khadder, CNN, 4 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for spat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spat
Noun
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Police found that two adult men had been involved in an altercation when one of the men struck the other multiple times, authorities said.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
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Jurors returned their verdict after several days of testimony from dozens of witnesses, including students who saw the altercation, investigators who handled the case, medical experts, and character witnesses called by the defense.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Verb
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But Tilly and Gershon playfully bickered onstage as the former remembered things slightly differently, with Tilly saying the problem had more to do with a shot of her hand on Gershon's crotch that was deemed too realistic.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
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While things have calmed over the years, the siblings still bicker and often disagree.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
Noun
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In 2023, Archer settled intellectual property disputes with Boeing and its air taxi unit Wisk, and signed an agreement to collaborate on autonomous tech, and invested in the air taxi maker.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
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Carney acknowledged that while the US and Canada have had disputes, the countries have always worked through them, and that a more independent Canada makes the country a better ally.—
Reuters May 28,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Bass has called for hiring more officers and defending her Inside Safe homelessness program, while Raman has criticized the cost of police raises, called for broader public-safety responses and argued that the city needs a more accountable and cost-effective homelessness system.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
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California Attorneys, Administrative Law Judges, and Hearing Officers in State Employment (CASE) argues that in forcing more than 90,000 workers to regularly commute to state offices, Newsom is violating the California Environmental Quality Act.—
Kassia Bonesteel,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Noun
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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
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In May 2024, Jose Siri tried swinging at Uribe during a dugout-clearing quarrel.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
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While Hulst tried to fight his way through traffic, Serna was in unfamiliar territory.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
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Aspiring journalist Lily’s camera was recording when the OPEF Marines invaded and began killing both Marsies and the Peacekeepers force that was actually aligned with the Marines and fighting against the Marsies.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Fitzpatrick has pointed to the saloon’s string of viral controversies as a calling card in the crowded race.—
Noah Daly,
Idaho Statesman,
11 June 2026
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The controversy escalated after a photo of the students was reported to school officials, who believed the cigars were real, according to the report.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Fearless and willing to brawl for her convictions, Teela, who is the biological daughter of the Sorceress and adopted daughter of the Man-At-Arms, teaches He-Man how to be a crusader of Eternia.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
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More than 13,000 smoke-damage claims have been filed, though many of those have yet to be resolved as homeowners and insurers brawl over what is and isn’t covered.—
Jason Henry,
Daily News,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spat. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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