squabble 1 of 2

squabble

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun squabble contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of squabble are altercation, quarrel, and wrangle. While all these words mean "a noisy dispute usually marked by anger," squabble stresses childish and unseemly dispute over petty matters, but it need not imply bitterness or anger.

a brief squabble over what to do next

When could altercation be used to replace squabble?

The words altercation and squabble can be used in similar contexts, but altercation implies fighting with words as the chief weapon, although it may also connote blows.

a loud public altercation

When can quarrel be used instead of squabble?

While the synonyms quarrel and squabble are close in meaning, quarrel implies heated verbal contention, stressing strained or severed relations which may persist beyond the contention.

a quarrel nearly destroyed the relationship

When is it sensible to use wrangle instead of squabble?

The words wrangle and squabble are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wrangle suggests undignified and often futile disputation with a noisy insistence on differing opinions.

wrangle interminably about small issues

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 squabble
Noun
Nevertheless, squabbles with a spouse, partner or close friend could also occur. Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 18 May 2025 Both pizza heavyweights spent the majority of the 1990s embroiled in lengthy legal squabbles. Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2025
Verb
The girls will sometimes squabble and play-fight over who Mom loves the most. Julia Moore, People.com, 28 May 2025 Republican lawmakers are squabbling over the details of the massive reconciliation package that contains key pieces of Trump’s agenda on taxes, border funding and spending. Brett Samuels, The Hill, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for squabble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squabble
Noun
  • Before the dispute, the Shinawatras and the Huns of Cambodia — two of Southeast Asia’s most influential political dynasties — had enjoyed close personal relations for decades.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
  • The dispute has influenced Paramount’s approach to a lawsuit accusing it of deceptively editing an interview with Kamala Harris.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • In 2012, surviving members of the Beach Boys reunited for a 50th anniversary album, which quickly hit the Top 10 before the group again bickered and separated.
    CBS News, CBS News, 11 June 2025
  • Vance memes, framing the vice president as the troubled child of bickering parents.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • The quarrel exploded Thursday, leading to a public back and forth on X, formerly Twitter.
    Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
  • This was just one of many quarrels between the two that grew more frequent.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Democrats, led by Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, had argued that in recent decades Congress gradually surrendered war-making powers to the president.
    Robert Jimison, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • His attorneys had argued that he was manipulated by Blanchard, a victim of Munchausen by proxy, to kill her mom and should have his charges reduced to second-degree murder, according to The Springfield News-Leader.
    Michael Nied, People.com, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • At Monday’s arraignment, when prosecutors revealed the details of the altercation, a judge ordered Horsman to be held without bail.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025
  • In a now-viral recording of the altercation posted to Reddit, Perry is seen grabbing the other passenger's hair.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The city argued the policy was confidential, and would interfere with the department’s ability to fight crime.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2025
  • The fire has been fought by 16 engines, seven water tenders, three dozers and three hand crews.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • For decades, Kahneman and Gary Klein, a psychologist who researches naturalistic decision-making, had a running disagreement about whether human intuition could be trusted.
    Gabriel Snyder, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • Though the talks fell apart over disagreements on what measures North Korea would take toward disarmament and Trump’s reluctance to offer sanctions relief, the summits ended on a surprisingly hopeful note, with the two leaders walking away as pen pals.
    Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • The first is that when U.S. soldiers returned from the war there, protesters spat upon them in disdain.
    Jonathan Zimmerman, Foreign Affairs, 19 May 2016
  • The flare comes after nearly a week of flares and coronal plasma ejections spat toward the planet that threatened disruptions to power and communications systems on Earth.
    Greg Wehner, Fox News, 15 May 2024

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Squabble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squabble. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on squabble

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!