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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of spat
Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Her words rubbed viewers and other contestants the wrong way, prompting a spat with fellow contestant Debbie.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 30 Oct. 2025
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
In October, a Peacock/Apple TV bundle was revealed (ahead of the NBA tipoff), and, after a lengthy public spat, Peacock is coming to YouTube TV.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Her words rubbed viewers and other contestants the wrong way, prompting a spat with fellow contestant Debbie.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 30 Oct. 2025
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
-
The Kings trailed by 15 when the altercation occurred.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
During a 2020 interview with DJ VLAD, Mack 10 rehashed the near-altercation with Common and reiterated that Fat Joe stepped in to smooth things over.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The pair bicker and bond their way through the whimsical Panda Kingdom, a vibrant world that blends the everyday with the extraordinary, carrying animals and humans alike into something at once magical and mundane.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
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Roberts and Tim Robbins play American journalists in Paris who lose their luggage and bicker over a hotel room and then wind up in bed together.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Plus, a jury acquitted a man who threw a sandwich at a federal agent, a deli and a cookbook author are in a trademark dispute, and more.—
Li Goldstein,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 Nov. 2025
-
While carriage disputes are nothing news, and Disney has had high-profile ones with DirecTV and Charter in recent years, the YouTube TV situation is unique.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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When its army entered Gaza in late 1956, the Israeli government argued that national security interests required it to control the Strip.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The issue of filing deadlines wasn't argued before the Supreme Court, nor the circuit court, Wood said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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De Silva, police noted, was an innocent bystander who was not involved in the quarrel and was not believed to have been the target.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Marta and Antonio, partners of many years, quarrel and suddenly break up.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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More than other age groups, teens have to fight to stay on a schedule that doesn't match their biology.—
NPR,
NPR,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Since taking office, Manzo, often seen wearing a bulletproof vest, had called on the federal government to do more to fight organized crime while expressing fears for his own safety.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The controversy that blew open a typically staid attorney general race stemmed from 2022 messages Jones sent to Republican Delegate Carrie Coyner.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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But the mall’s boss has looked to exploit the controversy.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The two superstars immediately began brawling.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
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The soldiers’ pastimes of drinking, gambling, and brawling also offended many Bostonians, who retained the piety of their Pilgrim ancestors.—
Time,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spat. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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