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.
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Recent Examples of spats
Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
In China, consumerism appears to outweigh nationalism regardless of how testy relations have become in recent diplomatic spats with countries like Japan and the United States.
—Chan Ho-Him, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
And, as Steve Buckley writes, political spats are more risky for Olympic athletes who haven’t yet attained mainstream fame.
—Zack Pierce, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Beijing last year implemented some export controls on rare earths during trade spats, raising concerns about America’s lack of secure supply chains for these critical materials.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026
As Hague and Beijing continued their diplomatic and legal spats over Nexperia, Nexperia’s China unit unveiled shocking new leverage.
—Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Entire YouTube channels have sprung up to document comedians’ latest spats, and even the least popular videos on these channels are watched more than the average YouTube comedy special.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
The two-day process was marked by ardent objection from major medical organizations, internal spats among members and a stark lack of data to support altering decades-long vaccine guidance.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2025
Further, most float escorts are required to wear spats over their shoes, so bulky footwear wouldn't fit beneath them.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
Noun
Then again, many of these spats have been taken to the court of public opinion — as well as, frequently, actual court — via social media, where Fishman and Redford encountered the videos as early inspiration for the show.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
In China, consumerism appears to outweigh nationalism regardless of how testy relations have become in recent diplomatic spats with countries like Japan and the United States.
—Chan Ho-Him, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
And, as Steve Buckley writes, political spats are more risky for Olympic athletes who haven’t yet attained mainstream fame.
—Zack Pierce, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Beijing last year implemented some export controls on rare earths during trade spats, raising concerns about America’s lack of secure supply chains for these critical materials.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026
As Hague and Beijing continued their diplomatic and legal spats over Nexperia, Nexperia’s China unit unveiled shocking new leverage.
—Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Entire YouTube channels have sprung up to document comedians’ latest spats, and even the least popular videos on these channels are watched more than the average YouTube comedy special.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
The two-day process was marked by ardent objection from major medical organizations, internal spats among members and a stark lack of data to support altering decades-long vaccine guidance.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2025
Further, most float escorts are required to wear spats over their shoes, so bulky footwear wouldn't fit beneath them.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
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
-
The lawsuit claims that Metcalf had a history of being involved in altercations and alleges that Ford Field should have known about Metcalf's history and failed to protect Kennedy.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Clark warned him against becoming involved in any physical altercations.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The case sparked a political scandal last year that led to the ouster of Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, and fueled new public anger at lingering corruption as Ukraine fights Russia in its four-year war.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The move comes as the administration simultaneously fights offshore wind projects in the Northeast, some of which are fully permitted or under construction.—
Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There were also disputes over women, Howell said.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The surrender of Bo Nagar, a leader of the Burma National Revolutionary Army or BNRA, in the upper-central region of Sagaing was a dramatic reminder of fractures within the armed resistance movement, which has led to sporadic clashes over control of territory and administrative disputes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While the talks were aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, Jafarzadeh argues that for the regime, talks would be nothing more than a tactical delay.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
In a recent column, [Broward Health CEO and Memorial Healthcare interim CEO] Shane Strum argues that closer alignment between Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System is necessary to improve access.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Before our daughter was born, my husband and I argued, but always resolved our disagreements.—
Yael Schonbrun,
Washington Post,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Debates and disagreements have gotten personal.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the early days of tour rehearsal, Johannes shows up and immediately clashes with Celeste, causing more stress for Charli.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
-
He is paired with an arrogant young partner (Lou), a second-generation political scion whose personality clashes sharply with his own.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spats. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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