as in bickered
to express different opinions about something often angrily
the children squabbled loudly over who got to play with the toy first
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Recent Examples of squabbled
Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan have also squabbled over who should have the jewel.
—
Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
The holdover Republicans who have remained attached to the party’s old identity (hawkish, pro-Israel, anti-Russia, opposed to anti-Semitism) have squabbled with its newer entrants.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
The founders squabbled 11 years more over the Constitution, and states took another two years to ratify it.
—Jackie Calmes, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026
Personalities from the stations have squabbled over the years, like rappers signed to labels with similar wares but diverging agendas.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
This go-around hasn’t been much different as the party squabbled over which of their numerous health care proposals should receive a vote.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2025
Late risers in pajamas walked their dogs, two men squabbled over a parking spot, and neighbors and shopkeepers went about their routines.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
The parties have squabbled over the lawsuit's jurisdiction for months.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
Awarded a second-half penalty against Bremen, Patrik Schick and Exequiel Palacios squabbled over who should take it, in a cliche of team dysfunction.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025
Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
The holdover Republicans who have remained attached to the party’s old identity (hawkish, pro-Israel, anti-Russia, opposed to anti-Semitism) have squabbled with its newer entrants.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
The founders squabbled 11 years more over the Constitution, and states took another two years to ratify it.
—Jackie Calmes, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026
Personalities from the stations have squabbled over the years, like rappers signed to labels with similar wares but diverging agendas.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
This go-around hasn’t been much different as the party squabbled over which of their numerous health care proposals should receive a vote.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2025
Late risers in pajamas walked their dogs, two men squabbled over a parking spot, and neighbors and shopkeepers went about their routines.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
The parties have squabbled over the lawsuit's jurisdiction for months.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
Awarded a second-half penalty against Bremen, Patrik Schick and Exequiel Palacios squabbled over who should take it, in a cliche of team dysfunction.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squabbled
Verb
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The video went viral, and the two eventually bickered about it on social media later Sunday night.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
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My parents bickered constantly, my sister was demanding and always in a conflict with them, and my grandparents would scream at each other.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Albares argued that none of this ought to threaten Spain’s many bonds to the United States.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
-
While the election result will not change the composition of Britain's parliament or its government, some lawmakers have argued the outcome was a protest from the electorate against Starmer's policy mix.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
Verb
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On Thursday, the Miami City Commission deferred voting on two commissioners’ requests to fund affordable housing and parks in their districts after officials quarreled over which areas in the city have the most pressing needs, an argument that cut to the core of the wealth divide in Miami.—
Tess Riski
April 10,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
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Budapest, which has quarreled with its EU partners over support for Ukraine and Russian oil deliveries, has also blocked a 90 billion euro ($103 billion) loan as Kyiv runs low on cash.—
Lorne Cook,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Margaret moved into his battle station and fought bravely, sustaining three gunshot wounds, until the British captured the post.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
8 May 2026
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As technology continues to advance, drone warfare will likely become more autonomous, more widespread, and more decisive, fundamentally altering the way battles are fought.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squabbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squabbled. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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