as in quarrels
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
judging from all the slamming and banging, I'd say there was some sort of altercation going on next door
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 altercations
The pair have been in physical altercations in the past, including Manning's 2012 arrest for allegedly punching, scratching, kicking and choking Hartman – whom media outlets have referred to as Manning's former make-up artist and assistant – and slamming her head against the floor and wall.
—
Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Multiple defendants, however, appeared to have been hurt in the altercations.
—Oriana Van Praag, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
There have been some altercations between protesters and counterprotesters, with some accusing others of not being Venezuelan and not understanding the struggles of the people who endured life under the Maduro regime.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
But in a rare but potentially growing number of instances, local law enforcement officers say, frustrations on the Valley’s increasingly congested roads are escalating into threats, altercations and sometimes deadly violence.
—Rose Evans
updated March 3, Idaho Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
Lakewood police said officers returned to the area later after receiving reports of altercations, injuries, and a growing crowd of onlookers.
—Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
Videos of the altercations have surfaced showing LaBeouf striking multiple people.
—Jack Brook, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
Dave Howell, who called Pata one of his best friends, testified Thursday there were several altercations involving Jones and Pata.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
The letter said unauthorized use of recording devices, physical altercations, bullying and harassment are outlined in board policies, as well as disciplinary measures.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Multiple defendants, however, appeared to have been hurt in the altercations.
—Oriana Van Praag, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
There have been some altercations between protesters and counterprotesters, with some accusing others of not being Venezuelan and not understanding the struggles of the people who endured life under the Maduro regime.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
But in a rare but potentially growing number of instances, local law enforcement officers say, frustrations on the Valley’s increasingly congested roads are escalating into threats, altercations and sometimes deadly violence.
—Rose Evans
updated March 3, Idaho Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
Lakewood police said officers returned to the area later after receiving reports of altercations, injuries, and a growing crowd of onlookers.
—Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
Videos of the altercations have surfaced showing LaBeouf striking multiple people.
—Jack Brook, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
Dave Howell, who called Pata one of his best friends, testified Thursday there were several altercations involving Jones and Pata.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
The letter said unauthorized use of recording devices, physical altercations, bullying and harassment are outlined in board policies, as well as disciplinary measures.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for altercations
Noun
-
Avoid money quarrels with everyone.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 Feb. 2026
-
His quarrels with Massie and interest in relitigating the 2020 election seem to animate him more, too.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Each lawsuit was a settlement, meaning the city did not lose a lawsuit but instead chose to pay the plaintiff to end litigation and resolve the disputes out of court.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Together with its licensing, rulemaking, and market oversight responsibilities, these enforcement tools help maintain standards within the brokerage industry and provide investors with mechanisms for addressing disputes.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The dynamic left senators convinced that the deal was the only way to move past their disagreements and reopen the Homeland Security Department.—
Stephen Groves,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
-
There were disagreements over his war with Iran, pride over his immigration crackdown and lots of encouragement to avoid infighting as the Republican Party faces a difficult midterm election.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Others dropped re-election bids following redistricting fights that scrambled political maps and would have forced them to campaign in new districts.—
Benjamin Siegel,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
While still being finalized, the card features two championship fights.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The musician further stressed that this was a creative choice, rather than anything related to the countless controversies Ye has embroiled himself in these past few years (and is ostensibly trying to move past).—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Athlete Caster Semenya, who has been at the center of many controversies due to her naturally high testosterone level, is calling for others to speak up, including Olympic governing bodies in Africa.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Avs and Stars haven’t had games devolve into all-out brawls like Tampa Bay and Florida have.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The change had come following years of youth disturbances, including major brawls and nearby shootings.—
Andrew Adeolu,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
During oral arguments, several conservative justices questioned the legal foundation and practical enforcement of the policy, which aims to deny citizenship to some children born in the United States to undocumented or temporary immigrant parents.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In February, Tobolowsky heard an hour of arguments before denying the motions to dismiss that were filed by two Gateway elders, according to the Texas Lawbook.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Furthermore, this new sense of clarity can help to drastically reduce misunderstandings between departments.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
-
For husky owners, the incident served as a reminder that, while the breed is beloved for its personality, those operatic howls can sometimes cause real-world misunderstandings—even police visits.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Altercations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altercations. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
