as in dispute
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
frightened by noise of the squabble, the cat hid under the couch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to bicker
to express different opinions about something often angrily
the children squabbled loudly over who got to play with the toy first
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of squabble
Richard Edwards, Space.com, 1 June 2026
While passage of a budget is considered virtually inevitable despite internal squabbles, legislative action on a measure to keep the Bears from moving to Hammond, Indiana, is still being negotiated to satisfy a variety of interests.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2026
Ian Irving, New York Times, 3 May 2026
Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan have also squabbled over who should have the jewel.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for squabble
Noun
But kids are fickle creatures, and eventually got bored of those Eternian squabbles.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 1 June 2026
While passage of a budget is considered virtually inevitable despite internal squabbles, legislative action on a measure to keep the Bears from moving to Hammond, Indiana, is still being negotiated to satisfy a variety of interests.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2026
Verb
The squabbling brothers of the north west.
—Ian Irving, New York Times, 3 May 2026
Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan have also squabbled over who should have the jewel.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for squabble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squabble
Noun
-
The Washington National Opera is accusing the Kennedy Center of failing to return more than $17 million in donor funds, escalating a dispute that followed the end of a 15-year partnership between the two institutions.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
12 June 2026
-
According to settlement documents filed May 7 in the Southern District of New York, Baldoni, via his Wayfarer production company, and Lively agreed to settle their ongoing dispute on terms that Lively could still seek to recover attorney's fees and additional damages.—
Angeline Jane Bernabe,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
King bickered with fans on social media.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
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But Tilly and Gershon playfully bickered onstage as the former remembered things slightly differently, with Tilly saying the problem had more to do with a shot of her hand on Gershon's crotch that was deemed too realistic.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
The victim got into a quarrel inside Bob’s Classic Barber Shop on Albany Ave.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
10 June 2026
-
Rounding out the top five names were seven write-in votes for the Sacramento Capitals or Capitols — which could be nicknamed the Caps to avoid quarrels over the spelling — and six votes for the Sacramento Stingers or Sting, referencing the collegiate Sacramento State Hornets.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Opponents to the development argued that the circumstances are different and that the court's decision does not apply to the Greeley case.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
-
One of the project’s most significant adversaries is the city of Sacramento — while the area is not under their governance, city officials argue the development would violate a decades-old habitat conservation agreement with the county.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
Noun
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Martinez had been attending court hearings over a charge of third-degree assault and breach of peace after an altercation with her sister-in-law over a babysitting dispute and was assigned anger management classes, the document states.—
Laura Tillman,
Hartford Courant,
16 June 2026
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So far, detectives have found no evidence of a physical altercation or foul play.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
In the 1970s, what was then West Germany co-produced the Tornado bomber with the UK and Italy; then in the 1990s Germany worked with the UK, Italy and Spain to produce the dog-fighting Eurofighter jet.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
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But somehow, the Valkyries went cold and the Storm kept fighting.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
Noun
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The deadlock reflected significant disagreement among jurors over the brothers' motives and the credibility of their abuse claims.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
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Ken Griffin In one of the most notable disagreements so far, Mamdani and Griffin became entangled in drama after the mayor announced his new pied‑à‑terre tax proposal aimed at wealthier residents in the city.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Callie and Arizona: Another couple spatting over kids.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Oct. 2025
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Mulroney, Ackerman, Snow, and Newman turn this story of spatting WAGS into an explosive, addictive watch.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Squabble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squabble. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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