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
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Recent Examples of spats
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
Any verbal spats were merely clearing the air, giving everyone space to move forward without overthinking.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026
Then there are the legal spats cropping up across the country.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
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
Noun
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
Any verbal spats were merely clearing the air, giving everyone space to move forward without overthinking.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026
Then there are the legal spats cropping up across the country.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
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
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
-
But in a rare but potentially growing number of instances, local law enforcement officers say, frustrations on the Valley’s increasingly congested roads are escalating into threats, altercations and sometimes deadly violence.—
Rose Evans
Updated March 3,
Idaho Statesman,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Lakewood police said officers returned to the area later after receiving reports of altercations, injuries, and a growing crowd of onlookers.—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
These are intriguing threads Disco almost fights.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
-
As the war enters its next phase, the side with the deeper arsenal may ultimately determine who fights till the end.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Gonzalez directed drug trafficking, violence and other criminal activities within 18th Street territory, including extortion and mediating gang disputes, according to the indictment.—
Brittny Mejia,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Since at least the war in Vietnam, courts have refused to referee disputes between the President and Congress over war powers.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Times argues that the Pentagon has applied its own rules inconsistently.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The Times argues that the Pentagon has applied its own rules inconsistently.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
When disagreements arise, acknowledge everyone’s different points of view before jumping to defend your ideas.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
At least one Senate Democrat, Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, announced support for Mullin’s confirmation, suggesting some bipartisan recognition that leadership changes alone may not resolve deeper disagreements over immigration enforcement policy.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 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 13 Mar. 2026.
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