as in quarrels
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
like any couple, they have their spats
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in bickers
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 spats
Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Kerr and Green have gotten into their spats over the years, but four NBA titles together have also been the result.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
While the program has produced lighter moments for political junkies, such as the Allison-Singleton banter, clips of occasional spats between panelists have made the show a messy must-watch for virtual viewers who casually tune in to the tussles on social media.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026
Instead, the right devolved into a series of intramural spats, primarily over America’s support for Israel.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
To those in the industry, he was known as a hardworking executive who worked long hours even when sick and who was not afraid to get into spats with retail industry leaders.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 23 Mar. 2026
Trump’s use of a global trade war to alienate friends and abuse neighbors, and his spats with allies over the fates of Greenland and Ukraine, seem to have left room for Xi to grow his power.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Anyone with siblings, particularly those somewhat close in age, knows spats periodically happen.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026
Jones is even avoiding any public spats with players and agents in contract talks.
—Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
The two would embark on an on-again-off-again journey that was filled with cheating scandals, social media spats and, eventually, Cardi filing for divorce in September 2020.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Kerr and Green have gotten into their spats over the years, but four NBA titles together have also been the result.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
While the program has produced lighter moments for political junkies, such as the Allison-Singleton banter, clips of occasional spats between panelists have made the show a messy must-watch for virtual viewers who casually tune in to the tussles on social media.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026
Instead, the right devolved into a series of intramural spats, primarily over America’s support for Israel.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
To those in the industry, he was known as a hardworking executive who worked long hours even when sick and who was not afraid to get into spats with retail industry leaders.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 23 Mar. 2026
Trump’s use of a global trade war to alienate friends and abuse neighbors, and his spats with allies over the fates of Greenland and Ukraine, seem to have left room for Xi to grow his power.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Anyone with siblings, particularly those somewhat close in age, knows spats periodically happen.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026
Jones is even avoiding any public spats with players and agents in contract talks.
—Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spats
Noun
-
Avoid money quarrels with everyone.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 Feb. 2026
-
His quarrels with Massie and interest in relitigating the 2020 election seem to animate him more, too.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The pope, played by Samora la Perdida, is a mincing oaf who bickers with Galas about the value of translating Wagner.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Paul and Mortensen had been under investigation by both the Draper City Police Department and West Jordan Police Department regarding a series of allegations each made that the other had acted violently during altercations in February, as well as an incident that took place in 2024.—
Senior Television,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
The investigations stemmed from a series of allegations, each made that the other acted violently during a series of altercations that month.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Even as the county fights to preserve services amid ongoing fiscal struggles, the budget cuts could lead to closures in behavioral health clinics and potential delays to some healthcare.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
2 May 2026
-
Demonizing the opponent is an effective political tactic and each side fights fire with fire.—
Andrew Cuomo,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Democrats see it as a frivolous investigation that lays the groundwork for disputes during the midterms and sows doubts about the integrity of the state’s electoral process.—
Caleb Groves,
AJC.com,
7 May 2026
-
The agreement also settles two other disputes that have bogged down the case with appeals.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
But Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth argues the 60-day war limit is paused amid the ongoing ceasefire.—
May 1,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
-
The Iranian American actor argues the long-standing persecution of the Baha’is in Iran has only escalated with the current Middle East tensions.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The lawsuit is not the only thing that has shone a bit of a spotlight on Willow Park; fracas and disagreements at city hall have caught the attention of the rest of Parker County.—
Tanya Babbar,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 May 2026
-
But there were disagreements inside the administration over the wisdom of funding the bailout.—
Joel Rose,
NPR,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Matty is a blustering, blue-collar Bostonian who sees himself as the unequivocal boss of the house and frequently clashes with his liberal niece Blaire, an outspoken college student who often finds herself at odds with her more traditional-minded relatives.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2026
-
For instance, as the moon clashes with Saturn, Mars and Mercury in Aries, tempers could flare internally or with those around you.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spats. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
