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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of squabble
Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
The playground squabbles should be sorted out with a good clout round to the head.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2026
Josh Gross, Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026
While the other males in the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve’s Kea group spend lots of time squabbling and making threat displays, Bruce is free to wander the aviary and monopolize feeding stations and prime perches, the study reports.
—Elizabeth Anne Brown, Scientific American, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for squabble
Noun
Season two is largely about power dynamics and money squabbles between players, co-workers, family members and friends.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
The playground squabbles should be sorted out with a good clout round to the head.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
Starting German star Timo Werner for the first time since mid-March, the Earthquakes played compactly before the halftime break, squabbling over the middle of the park with LAFC as both teams fell short in the final third.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026
While the other males in the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve’s Kea group spend lots of time squabbling and making threat displays, Bruce is free to wander the aviary and monopolize feeding stations and prime perches, the study reports.
—Elizabeth Anne Brown, Scientific American, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for squabble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squabble
Noun
-
With the indictment now dismissed, the administration could argue there are fewer procedural barriers preventing another removal effort, though Xinis still retains authority over the injunction dispute unless the 4th Circuit intervenes.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
22 May 2026
-
Prosecutors argued that Daniel Sikkema orchestrated the killing from New York amid a bitter divorce and custody dispute involving the couple’s son.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
While the concrete cured, the starting eight matches of the first-ever World Cup were relocated to Pocitos and Gran Parque Central, the home grounds of capital rivals Peñarol and Nacional, who'd been bickering since their first meeting in July 1900.—
Paul Jebara,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 May 2026
-
SpaceX and the Pentagon have been bickering about the price of using Starshield satellite service during the Iran war, according to a Reuters report published today.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
In a 2024 study, researchers found that chimpanzee mothers tended to step in to defend their children in quarrels—say, over food or space in a tree—in about half of cases the researchers observed in the wild.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
10 May 2026
-
As the trio quarrels, bonds and ventures through the wild unknown, Felix discovers that true bravery may change not only his own destiny, but also the future of his home.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Vincent Bugliosi argued—first in court, then in Helter Skelter—that Manson had meant for the murders to incite Helter Skelter.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
-
Political observers argue that Hilton’s conservative media profile and Bianco’s law enforcement background resonate with rural and suburban voters on issues like crime and immigration, suggesting their campaigns address genuine policy concerns beyond election denialism.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
During the altercation, prosecutors said, Snell pulled out a firearm and pointed it at the victims.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
26 May 2026
-
Bobby Atkinson, 37, is accused of threatening to kill his wife during a morning altercation at their Louisville home before allegedly torturing her dogs, Brooklyn and Seven, according to the Louisville Courier Journal, WAVE and WKRC.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
The city’s directors have apparently decided that if crowns are going to be fought over, audiences might as well sweat a little, too.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
22 May 2026
-
Ada County Sheriff Matt Clifford, who fought against mandatory ICE cooperation legislation this spring, is now preparing to voluntarily sign a 287(g) agreement for the warrant service officer program with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.—
Chadd Cripe. Produced with AI assistance,
Idaho Statesman,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
No sub-tweeting, no digs in the press, just two dudes with a minor disagreement hashing it out man-to-man and then moving on.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
23 May 2026
-
The problem is that many important workplace skills are developed through discussion, disagreement, collaboration, and questioning other people.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
22 May 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 30 May. 2026.
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