Synonym Chooser

How does the noun altercation contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of altercation are quarrel, squabble, and wrangle. While all these words mean "a noisy dispute usually marked by anger," altercation implies fighting with words as the chief weapon, although it may also connote blows.

a loud public altercation

Where would quarrel be a reasonable alternative to altercation?

In some situations, the words quarrel and altercation are roughly equivalent. However, quarrel implies heated verbal contention, stressing strained or severed relations which may persist beyond the contention.

a quarrel nearly destroyed the relationship

When is it sensible to use squabble instead of altercation?

The meanings of squabble and altercation largely overlap; however, 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

When would wrangle be a good substitute for altercation?

The words wrangle and altercation can be used in similar contexts, but wrangle suggests undignified and often futile disputation with a noisy insistence on differing opinions.

wrangle interminably about small issues

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 altercation Gloria and Emilio Estefan’s daughter’s partner was arrested in an altercation over a cellphone Tuesday evening, TMZ first reported. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025 Flight attendants rushed to intervene as the in-flight altercation played out. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Adriana James-Rodil, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025 He was shot after an altercation at a nearby business, the press release said. Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2025 Other behaviors that commonly cause altercations during flights include shouting, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, and reclining your seat without consideration for the person sitting behind. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for altercation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for altercation
Noun
  • Diplomacy is critical to resolve disputes such as the Helmand River conflict, while the government must manage human and economic effects—such as shrinking harvests and salt-dust health risks.
    Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The streaming service lost 21 channels after the live TV provider's contract dispute with The Walt Disney Company ended in an impasse.
    Jenny Porter Tilley, Louisville Courier Journal, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • De Silva, police noted, was an innocent bystander who was not involved in the quarrel and was not believed to have been the target.
    Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Marta and Antonio, partners of many years, quarrel and suddenly break up.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The controversy that blew open a typically staid attorney general race stemmed from 2022 messages Jones sent to Republican Delegate Carrie Coyner.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
  • But the mall’s boss has looked to exploit the controversy.
    Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The dispute could affect billions of dollars in cross-border trade and set a new precedent for handling disagreements over the use of public figures and historic addresses in political messaging.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The sentiment is consistent across political party affiliations, with 75% of Republicans, 82% of Independents and 79% of Democrats expressing disagreement.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • When police arrived, however, there was no sign of any fight or crime scene.
    Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
  • In his eight wins, all eight have come inside the distance, with only two fights seeing a second round.
    Brett Appley, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Harvey was just 11 years old when that fight occurred, but her teammate and Team USA leader Hilary Knight was there, and involved in the brawl.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The film followed Chan Lok-kwun (Raymond Lam), a mainland refugee trying to pay his way to a fake ID by winning bare-knuckle brawls.
    Marcus Lim, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Whether the arguments brought by Whalen and Fuentes have traction will now be decided by an arbitrator, not a judge.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Robinson rejected Towers’ arguments that the settlements were invalid due to mutual mistake or missing formal signatures.
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Of course, some of those party guests already know each other, like Morgan, Sasha, and Esther, and the latter two bicker beforehand about how to best approach the Morgan-sized elephant in the room.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
  • In a lengthy scene in the desert, the camera pans to each character, isolating them or putting them in pairings to argue, bicker, and reveal themselves.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Altercation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altercation. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

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