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
The city and a group of taxpayers for years squabbled in court over whether the government had the right to enter into a contract with the Friends, which ultimately disbanded before the zoo opened in Griffith Park in 1966.
—
Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
The countries have also squabbled over Pretoria’s affirmative action policies and a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
—Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 18 June 2026
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
Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
The countries have also squabbled over Pretoria’s affirmative action policies and a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
—Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 18 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squabbled
Verb
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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
Verb
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The groups argued that the site of the garden runs afoul of federal laws and has not been authorized by Congress.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
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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
Verb
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He's previously quarreled with LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook and Draymond Green.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2026
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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
Verb
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Police said the bail agent and driver fought, and the agent fired one round, with the bullet striking the suspect in the arm.—
Hannah McIlree,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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Thousands of Black men fought in the conflict for the Continental Army, the British or in pursuit of their own chance at liberation.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squabbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squabbled. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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