quarrel

1 of 3

noun (1)

quar·rel ˈkwȯr(-ə)l

ˈkwär(-ə)l

Synonyms of quarrel next

: a square-headed bolt or arrow especially for a crossbow

quarrel

2 of 3

noun (2)

: a ground of dispute or complaint

have no quarrel with a different approach

: a usually verbal conflict between antagonists : altercation

quarrel

3 of 3

verb

quarreled or quarrelled; quarreling or quarrelling

intransitive verb

: to find fault

many people quarrel with the idea—

Johns Hopkins Magazine

: to contend or dispute actively

quarreled frequently with his superiors—

London Calling

quarreler noun

or quarreller

Choose the Right Synonym for quarrel

quarrel, wrangle, altercation, squabble mean a noisy dispute usually marked by anger.

quarrel implies heated verbal contention, stressing strained or severed relations which may persist beyond the contention.

a quarrel nearly destroyed the relationship

wrangle suggests undignified and often futile disputation with a noisy insistence on differing opinions.

wrangle interminably about small issues

altercation implies fighting with words as the chief weapon, although it may also connote blows.

a loud public altercation

squabble stresses childish and unseemly dispute over petty matters, but it need not imply bitterness or anger.

a brief squabble over what to do next

Example Sentences

Verb The children quarrel all the time. She and her husband are always quarreling about money. I don't want to quarrel with you.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In a rare about-face, Mr. Viñoly appeared worn down by the London quarrels over the project and eventually stepped aside — frustrated over the affection for the old smoke belcher. —

Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2023 Often, accusations started as a quarrel, or the death of a child or a cow, or even butter that couldn't be churned. —

CBS News, 1 Feb. 2023 Jacks had gone on a solo date with Foster earlier in the program, taking a canoe trip that turned awkward and resulted in a small quarrel. —

Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, 26 Jan. 2023 One night in late October, a young graphic designer, Klaus Voormann, came into the Kaiserkeller after a quarrel with his girlfriend. —

The New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2022 But that only intensified the quarrel because after a short pause, conditions worsened, leading to pushing, shoving and heavier chatter between the teams. —

Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2022 Nothing explains the vicious quarrel between dogs and raccoons. —

James Lileks, Star Tribune, 20 Nov. 2020 Trump’s main quarrel with the deal was the sunset clause. —

Reese Gorman, Washington Examiner, 3 May 2023 In Celebration, most residents and community leaders are hoping that the governor’s quarrel with Disney is a fleeting drama, more geared toward television sound bites than lasting public policy. —

Tim Craig, Washington Post, 29 Apr. 2023

Verb

Since starting the legislative session, Phelan and other members of Texas' Republican leadership have quarreled on matters ranging from property taxes to Gov. Greg Abbott's preferred school voucher legislation. —

Kennedy Sessions, Chron, 24 May 2023 The Anchorage Assembly approved a measure earlier this week that could be a step toward reviving the controversial Holtan Hills housing project in Girdwood, though Mayor Dave Bronson and Assembly members quarreled over how it would be funded. —

Alex Demarban, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Apr. 2023 Despite its controversial past, Saudi Arabia may still carry enough influence to bring quarreling parties to the negotiating table, analysts say. —

Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 3 May 2023 The debate over short-term rentals is heated in cities across the metroplex including Dallas and Plano as residents and STR operators quarrel over property rights and the language of zoning ordinances. —

Myah Taylor, Dallas News, 11 Apr. 2023 Nineteen of the council’s 51 members support the bill, including many from the Council’s progressive caucus who have quarreled with Mr. Adams over school budget cuts and policing. —

William K. Rashbaum, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2023 At a time when NBA superstars often quarrel over shot attempts, Green is an anomaly — the rare difference-maker who openly shuns scoring, prides himself on plays that won’t make the postgame highlight reel and sometimes needs to be talked into taking wide-open shots. —

Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 May 2021 An elderly couple, their seven children grown and scattered, quarrel bitterly about how to spend the years that remain. —

New York Times, 25 Mar. 2021 As a matter of course, pundits and academics quarrel about political descriptors. —

The Politics Of Everything, The New Republic, 29 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'quarrel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, square block of stone, bolt, from Vulgar Latin *quadrellum, diminutive of Latin quadrum square — more at quadrate

Noun (2)

Middle English querele, from Anglo-French, from Latin querela grievance, complaint, from queri to complain

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of quarrel was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century