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
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
The two had small spats here and there early on, mostly about communication style.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 22 Oct. 2025
Personal spats and legal battles would keep Frehley and Criss out of the mix, for the most part.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Local spats could now feed into a mass movement that spread far beyond individual disputes between a peasant and a particularly nasty abbot or lord.
—Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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
The two had small spats here and there early on, mostly about communication style.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 22 Oct. 2025
Personal spats and legal battles would keep Frehley and Criss out of the mix, for the most part.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Local spats could now feed into a mass movement that spread far beyond individual disputes between a peasant and a particularly nasty abbot or lord.
—Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spats
Noun
-
Some of the quarrels that divided Minneapolis city leaders only a few weeks ago, over policing or Gaza or the budget, have faded as people have come together to oppose ICE.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Washington’s choice prioritized American independence over European quarrels.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 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 National Immigration Law Center fights in courts and legislatures to protect low-income immigrants, ensuring that civil rights don’t disappear simply because of where someone was born.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
On the outskirts of the crowd, fights broke out between protesters and counter-protesters.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
At least five competing proposals have emerged from major coalitions, several of which have fractured in recent days as internal disputes deepened.—
JACQUELINE CHARLES MIAMI HERALD,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
At least five competing proposals have emerged from major coalitions, several of which have fractured in recent days as internal disputes deepened.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The author argues this economic leverage represents the only meaningful way to hold the country accountable for what the author characterizes as federal overreach.—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The complaint argues the law is unconstitutional and that its overly broad measures are punishing a substantial amount of speech.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The episode has punctured Preckwinkle’s reputation for managerial skill — a primary reason this page has endorsed her in previous elections despite some disagreements with other aspects of her record.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Trump has demanded a resolution to the two countries’ long-standing disagreements about Iran’s nuclear ambitions.—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
In the rapidly evolving world of denim manufacturing, the quest for sustainability often clashes with the demand for authentic, high-quality aesthetics.—
SJ Studio,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spats. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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