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
Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 1 June 2026
The teams’ proximity to one another had many wondering if an organic rivalry would quickly blossom, especially considering the historic spats between New York and Boston teams in other sports.
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 12 May 2026
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
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
Noun
During his performance, the MC set aside time to share his thoughts on recent apparent spats with a few fellow rappers in a new freestyle.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 1 June 2026
The teams’ proximity to one another had many wondering if an organic rivalry would quickly blossom, especially considering the historic spats between New York and Boston teams in other sports.
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 12 May 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spats
Noun
-
In a 2024 study, researchers found that chimpanzee mothers tended to step in to defend their children in quarrels—say, over food or space in a tree—in about half of cases the researchers observed in the wild.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
10 May 2026
-
As the trio quarrels, bonds and ventures through the wild unknown, Felix discovers that true bravery may change not only his own destiny, but also the future of his home.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
10 May 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
-
Durso alleged that Valle was upset after the previous altercations and lost his cool when his friend’s vehicle was damaged by the crowd of youths who rocked and shook the vehicle Valle and his friends arrived in.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2026
-
Charles Melton plays an American GI named Private K who’s trying to locate his daughter and keeps getting into bloody altercations.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The welcome is relaxed and warm while the flamboyant decor fights to charm you.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
An Army official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said soldiers who were fans of UFC fights and who meet Army standards were given a preference, which the official said is standard practice for such events.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
His brief tenure was characterized by disputes with the president over North Korea, Iran and Ukraine.—
Eric Tucker,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Community associations have found themselves in the spotlight recently with headlines about rising maintenance fees, contentious board decisions, and disputes between residents and leadership.—
Niurys Robaina,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Flanagan’s campaign argues this year’s will be different because Craig has skipped the convention altogether.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
29 May 2026
-
Commentary and opinions The Republican assault on Obamacare has created a healthcare bloodbath, with worse yet to come, argues columnist Michael Hiltzik.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
That even if there were disagreements about politics, everyone went to his wedding anyway.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
-
Players will still be able to cover their mouths when conversing normally, but outlawing the act during disagreements is designed to remove plausible deniability for any player accused of making discriminatory remarks while their mouth is obscured.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Avoid going into crisis mode as the moon clashes with Pluto.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Azure Blue Azure blue also clashes with the warm, 3000K, soft white bulb that most of us prefer for a relaxing soak.—
Natasha Bazika,
Martha Stewart,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spats. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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