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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
Love, though, comes with spats and fits of temper, ruptures and reconciliations. — Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026 Authorities from throughout Southern California have faced a spat of e-bike and e-motorcycle incidents, including a teen who led Orange County law enforcement on a chase last month. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 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 a physical fight, and someone shared the home-security-camera footage of the altercation with TMZ.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 28 July 2026
  • Photos appear to show one such altercation, with a fan attempting to grab Preston from the sideline.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
Definition of altercation
Verb
  • After bickering with Percy over her involvement in the mission, Thalia ultimately drives away from the scene.
    — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 2026
  • Establishment figures such as Jeffries and the party’s 2028 presidential candidates will need to grasp that the relationship between the DSA and the Democratic Party is not one of occasionally bickering siblings, but of parasite and host.
    — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
Definition of bicker
Noun
  • Jeffrey Baldwin, who founded an advocacy group after fighting his own foreclosure battle, argued a complaint system without enforcement powers would do little to help homeowners facing disputes.
    — Nora O'Neill July 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 July 2026
  • McDonald, though, said national leaders have warned that barring transgender members would open the DAR up to having its tax-exempt status revoked, which McDonald disputes.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
Definition of dispute
Verb
  • On the other hand, some argue that Fed officials spoke too frequently about the economy in the past.
    — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
  • Jon Moxley argued with a conflicted Will Ospreay as Ospreay struggled to find a killer instinct and pull the trigger on his ailing friend.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of argue
Noun
  • The quarrel took him in the left shoulder near the neck, and the surgeon attending the king failed to properly remove the shaft.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • As the quarrel escalated he was stabbed repeatedly in the arm.
    — John Annese, New York Daily News, 12 July 2026
Definition of quarrel
Verb
  • In mid-July, the World Health Organization said its joint $518 million plan to fight Ebola with the Africa CDC faced a funding shortfall of over $400 million.
    — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
  • Other European Union countries have sent firefighting aircraft to help France fight these wildfires following a request for assistance from the country’s president, Emmanuel Macron.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Definition of fight
Noun
  • Opera Carolina has another new leader heading into its 77th season, as one of the oldest arts groups in Charlotte attempts to stabilize itself following two years of executive turnover and internal controversy.
    — Catherine Muccigrosso July 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026
  • For the institution, the calculation is whether keeping the remote possibility of reinstatement alive is worth keeping the controversy alive as well.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of controversy
Verb
  • The Young Bucks then run out and brawl with Moxley and Ospreay, while Omega fights off RPG Vice.
    — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • English soccer fans have earned a reputation for violent hooliganism, hurling plastic chairs and brawling their way across the piazzas and boulevards of Europe.
    — Alexander Smith, NBC news, 3 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 31 Jul. 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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