squabble 1 of 2

squabble

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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
Shohreh Dupuis left her job as city manager of Laguna Beach two years ago, in the wake of a squabble with a city council member, a threat of a harassment lawsuit, and an inquiry into into how her house came to be smeared with feces. Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025 But Democrats have long conceded that the party needs a new vision after voters soundly rejected their presidential ticket last fall, and internal squabbles about the party’s future have spilled out into the public. Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
For example, as the US and foreign governments squabble over how US multinationals should be taxed, accurate information about how much these firms pay and to whom would be useful for policymakers around the world as well as shareholders and the public. Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 The parties have squabbled over the lawsuit's jurisdiction for months. Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for squabble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squabble
Noun
  • The Palladinos departed after Season 6 due to contract disputes with WB, and David Rosenthal stepped in as showrunner and head writer.
    Anna Tingley, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The dispute occurred during a hearing on a Republican bill to ban public funds for health care for undocumented immigrants.
    Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In recent years, the companies have bickered about the rise of streaming services, in which the media companies are investing billions of dollars and which lure away cable and satellite customers.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Other witnesses indicated that the shooter was a third person who entered the fight between Runnels and Collins’ nephew after the two had already started to bicker, according to court records.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • However, lovers’ quarrels or difficulty dealing with children (hissy fits or meltdowns) might occur.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The outcome of that long-simmering family quarrel is never really in much doubt, but there are still a few neat surprises involving a couple of rare bottles of whiskey and the fate of two family businesses.
    Stephen Farber, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That’s not sustainable, argues Ruchir Sharma, chair of Rockefeller International.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The lawsuit argues the messages violate the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from compelling speech.
    Shannon Bond, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In May, Van Hecke was involved in an altercation in training with then-Brighton team-mate Joao Pedro.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Sanchez, 38, was involved in an altercation with the 69-year-old truck driver in the early-morning hours of Saturday, when police said the driver allegedly stabbed Sanchez while defending himself during a fight.
    Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Meet Nashville's new crime-fighting Clydesdale Metro Nashville mounted patrol officer Michael Douglas squeezed a three-foot-long rubber chicken, producing an increasingly louder and closer screeching sound to try and provoke a 1,700-pound Clydesdale named Ross.
    Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The event, launched in 1982, celebrates the freedom to read and express ideas and emphasizes the importance of fighting censorship.
    Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • An even more crucial disagreement is over the party’s relationship to electoral politics.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Other federal agencies have crafted similarly partisan messages from the typically apolitical civil service amid a legislative standoff largely over disagreements related to health care cuts.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Mulroney, Ackerman, Snow, and Newman turn this story of spatting WAGS into an explosive, addictive watch.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2025
  • Preparation has cultural and regional variations, but the seed is usually chewed with slaked lime and betel leaves, and chewing releases a red juice that's often then spat out.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Squabble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squabble. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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