as in bickering
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 squabbling
That’s not because its member countries have suddenly stopped squabbling or its bureaucratic inertia has melted away.
—
Joseph De Weck, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026
Hulu Sometimes, after a long day at work, there's nothing more comforting than watching a bunch of richer-than-rich investors squabbling over the inventions of eager entrepreneurs.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026
Discovery squabbles Now, attorneys in the ET Gathering and Processing lawsuit are squabbling over the pace of the production of records in the discovery phase.
—Paul Monies, Oklahoma Watch, 3 Feb. 2026
Democrats and Republicans continued squabbling over the content of trade policy, but the protectionist impulse largely receded and was replaced by a consensus that lower trade barriers would support economic recovery and advance broader foreign policy goals.
—Inu Manak, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
While the fans are always squabbling, the idea of two teams of professional athletes, not to mention coaches, actually disliking each other has become rarer.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
The Vernon Point Neighborhood Association is a passionate bunch, whether squabbling over historically inaccurate porch railings or debating trash can protocol.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2025
Norris lost a place to Leclerc and spent more than 20 laps squabbling with the Ferrari driver before overtaking him.
—Sahil Kapur, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2025
The year is 1868 and Benjamin Guinness, the richest man in the country, has just died, leaving his four squabbling adult children to try and carry on the family’s legacy.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
Joseph De Weck, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026
Hulu Sometimes, after a long day at work, there's nothing more comforting than watching a bunch of richer-than-rich investors squabbling over the inventions of eager entrepreneurs.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026
Discovery squabbles Now, attorneys in the ET Gathering and Processing lawsuit are squabbling over the pace of the production of records in the discovery phase.
—Paul Monies, Oklahoma Watch, 3 Feb. 2026
Democrats and Republicans continued squabbling over the content of trade policy, but the protectionist impulse largely receded and was replaced by a consensus that lower trade barriers would support economic recovery and advance broader foreign policy goals.
—Inu Manak, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
While the fans are always squabbling, the idea of two teams of professional athletes, not to mention coaches, actually disliking each other has become rarer.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
The Vernon Point Neighborhood Association is a passionate bunch, whether squabbling over historically inaccurate porch railings or debating trash can protocol.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2025
Norris lost a place to Leclerc and spent more than 20 laps squabbling with the Ferrari driver before overtaking him.
—Sahil Kapur, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2025
The year is 1868 and Benjamin Guinness, the richest man in the country, has just died, leaving his four squabbling adult children to try and carry on the family’s legacy.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squabbling
Verb
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Ukraine's European allies have promised to maintain their steadfast support, but bickering over a major 90 billion euro ($106 billion) European Union loan to cover Kyiv's military and economic needs for two years has reflected the mounting challenges.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
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Her grandparents are constantly bickering, worn down by the pressures of keeping the family hotel afloat.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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According to the judge’s order, Homeland Security is arguing that the legal basis of the deportations stems from a Biden-era agreement in which Mexico agreed to accept up to 30,000 Cubans, Nicaraguans, Haitians and Venezuelans monthly.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
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The manager of a nearby bodega said the victims were arguing with another teen before the shooting erupted.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Her father, after quarreling with Antigone’s mother, locked her out of their house overnight, which led to a terrible accident.—
Rachel Vorona Cote,
The Atlantic,
5 Jan. 2026
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Lydon’s revelation comes after years of quarreling with guitarist Steve Jones, bassist Glen Matlock, and drummer Paul Cook.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The underlying facts of the case are still to be ruled on, but the partial ruling on Friday was a big win for immigration advocates who had been fighting to shut down the controversial site.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
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The lone Republican was Merritt Farren, a 65-year-old media and technology attorney who lost his home in last year’s Palisades fire, and became an advocate while fighting State Farm’s controversial rate hike request.—
Pat Maio,
Daily News,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squabbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squabbling. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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