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
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
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
Noun
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
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
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
-
Miller now sits at 28 career UFC wins (most all-time), 48 UFC fights (most all-time), 20 UFC finishes (second only to Charles Oliveira), and 16 post-fight bonuses (tied for third with Nate Diaz, behind only Donald Cerrone).—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
The winter stretched before us with dinner parties to host, movies to go to, and fights to be had with my father about this and that.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 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
-
The filing also argues Flagg's performances are not comparable to Swift's album or brand.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
Letter urges reconsideration of design In a letter to church elders, Hubbard argues that newer LDS temple designs suggest tall steeples are not always necessary.—
Erin Jones,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
New reports don’t end disagreements The latest raft of reporting, with mysterious figures and unexplained sounds, has not yet made a believer out of skeptic Benjamin Radford.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
-
The new restaurant takes over the former Biscuit & Hogs space, which closed amid legal disagreements.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
8 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 13 May. 2026.
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