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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spats
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
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
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
Noun
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
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
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
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 pair have been in physical altercations in the past, including Manning's 2012 arrest for allegedly punching, scratching, kicking and choking Hartman – whom media outlets have referred to as Manning's former make-up artist and assistant – and slamming her head against the floor and wall.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Multiple defendants, however, appeared to have been hurt in the altercations.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Blaydes fights Josh Hokit on the main card of UFC 327 on April 11 in Miami.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Instead of fighting fire with fire, Lamont fights fire with facts.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The trial was delayed for years due to motions, disputes over evidence, and calendar conflicts.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
For instance, disputes over the HOA’s authority to impose certain assessments can delay the resolution of financial issues, leaving homeowners uncertain about how to resolve their financial liabilities.—
Gary Singer,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Texas may have plenty of other inherent economic advantages, including a central location and long international border, but its high concentration of major metropolitan areas is also a major factor behind the state’s long-term success, a new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas argues.—
Trevor Bach,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Anthropic claims it is being shut out of government contracts for disagreeing with the administration and argues the legal principles at stake affect every federal contractor whose views the government dislikes.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The dynamic left senators convinced that the deal was the only way to move past their disagreements and reopen the Homeland Security Department.—
Stephen Groves,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
-
There were disagreements over his war with Iran, pride over his immigration crackdown and lots of encouragement to avoid infighting as the Republican Party faces a difficult midterm election.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 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 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
