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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
Meetings regularly break out into heated squabbles between commissioners, the mayor and other city officials. Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025 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
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
  • Arenas has since said the dispute started over a game of bourré.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The dispute has largely remained peaceful so far.
    Omar S Mahmood, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The pair bicker and bond their way through the whimsical Panda Kingdom, a vibrant world that blends the everyday with the extraordinary, carrying animals and humans alike into something at once magical and mundane.
    Ben Croll, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Roberts and Tim Robbins play American journalists in Paris who lose their luggage and bicker over a hotel room and then wind up in bed together.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • While still unconfirmed, we’re told that the film sees Louise, the alcoholic mother of Mike (Hechinger) and Tommy, take off after a quarrel with her husband Lester — walking with her dog to the home of her brother Frank, quite a few miles away.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Hip-Hop has equally thrived on legendary quarrels and strong relationships.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In fact, little of that story line, Androsoff argues, is backed up by historical evidence.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2025
  • At the time, Cortese argued the tax was needed to address significant and growing budget challenges.
    Mercury News Editorial, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • During the altercation, Lind drew a gun and fired off shots, killing Emma Borhanian, one of the Zizians.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The investigation showed the incident began as a road rage event, initially a verbal altercation, involving the occupants of a pair of vehicles, the release states.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The line occurs when the film’s protagonist, Ripley (Weaver), emerges from an elevator in a giant metal bodysuit, ready to fight a terrifying alien to save a young child.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Season-long struggles; still fighting Charlotte has five games left on the schedule, starting with North Texas (6-1, 2-1 American) next Friday night on ESPN2.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The dispute could affect billions of dollars in cross-border trade and set a new precedent for handling disagreements over the use of public figures and historic addresses in political messaging.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The sentiment is consistent across political party affiliations, with 75% of Republicans, 82% of Independents and 79% of Democrats expressing disagreement.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 24 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 26 Oct. 2025.

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