as in disputes
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 bickers
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
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 squabbles
Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Omniscience gives way to a motley chorus of inner monologues and hushed conversations, kitchen table squabbles, restless thoughts, wistful memories.
—Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
With Heaven on Top’s rollout was supposed to be about making a break from the infamy of Bryan’s year or so of concerning headlines about allegations of emotional abuse from his Barstoolite ex Brianna Chickenfry, his mysterious black eye, and his squabbles on-camera in a bar and at a music festival.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
Republicans must put results ahead of ego, teamwork ahead of self-promotion, and winning ahead of personal squabbles.
—Ct Mirror, Hartford Courant, 2 Jan. 2026
And for the time being, Gaile Osborne won't have to worry about the legislative squabbles affecting her daughter's care.
—Bram Sable-Smith, NPR, 23 Dec. 2025
Plenty of squabbles arise from the reunion in hilarious ways, peppered with tender moments and a fight scene between Candace (Regina Hall) and Shelby (Melissa De Sousa).
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025
Family squabbles Sinclair has been looking for an acquisition target for nearly a year.
—Lillian Rizzo,alex Sherman, CNBC, 2 Dec. 2025
Censure resolutions, a once-rare reprimand for serious misdemeanors committed by House members, are now a common tactic used in mudslinging and squabbles both within the same party and against the opposing party.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 21 Nov. 2025
Noun
At 75 years old, NATO has survived storms before, from squabbles over trade to estrangement over wars in Vietnam and Iraq.
—Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Omniscience gives way to a motley chorus of inner monologues and hushed conversations, kitchen table squabbles, restless thoughts, wistful memories.
—Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
With Heaven on Top’s rollout was supposed to be about making a break from the infamy of Bryan’s year or so of concerning headlines about allegations of emotional abuse from his Barstoolite ex Brianna Chickenfry, his mysterious black eye, and his squabbles on-camera in a bar and at a music festival.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
Republicans must put results ahead of ego, teamwork ahead of self-promotion, and winning ahead of personal squabbles.
—Ct Mirror, Hartford Courant, 2 Jan. 2026
And for the time being, Gaile Osborne won't have to worry about the legislative squabbles affecting her daughter's care.
—Bram Sable-Smith, NPR, 23 Dec. 2025
Plenty of squabbles arise from the reunion in hilarious ways, peppered with tender moments and a fight scene between Candace (Regina Hall) and Shelby (Melissa De Sousa).
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025
Family squabbles Sinclair has been looking for an acquisition target for nearly a year.
—Lillian Rizzo,alex Sherman, CNBC, 2 Dec. 2025
Censure resolutions, a once-rare reprimand for serious misdemeanors committed by House members, are now a common tactic used in mudslinging and squabbles both within the same party and against the opposing party.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 21 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squabbles
Noun
-
Think of them like a referee of sorts—someone who can make official calls when questions or disputes come up.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Jan. 2026
-
For hours, in the suffocating heat, Dooley sifted through endless accounts of mundane colonial matters—church records, itemizations, legal disputes, petty complaints.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The pope, played by Samora la Perdida, is a mincing oaf who bickers with Galas about the value of translating Wagner.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Some of the quarrels that divided Minneapolis city leaders only a few weeks ago, over policing or Gaza or the budget, have faded as people have come together to oppose ICE.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Washington’s choice prioritized American independence over European quarrels.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The National Immigration Law Center fights in courts and legislatures to protect low-income immigrants, ensuring that civil rights don’t disappear simply because of where someone was born.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
On the outskirts of the crowd, fights broke out between protesters and counter-protesters.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The episode has punctured Preckwinkle’s reputation for managerial skill — a primary reason this page has endorsed her in previous elections despite some disagreements with other aspects of her record.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Trump has demanded a resolution to the two countries’ long-standing disagreements about Iran’s nuclear ambitions.—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The author argues this economic leverage represents the only meaningful way to hold the country accountable for what the author characterizes as federal overreach.—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The complaint argues the law is unconstitutional and that its overly broad measures are punishing a substantial amount of speech.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Although government officials have claimed that Good and Pretti were both aggressors in their altercations, footage captured by bystanders appeared to contradict those claims.—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Agents themselves are pulling out their phones during altercations with protesters.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Matty is a blustering, blue-collar Bostonian who sees himself as the unequivocal boss of the house and frequently clashes with his liberal niece.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
15 Jan. 2026
-
In the rapidly evolving world of denim manufacturing, the quest for sustainability often clashes with the demand for authentic, high-quality aesthetics.—
SJ Studio,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squabbles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squabbles. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
