quarrel 1 of 2

quarrel

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun quarrel contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of quarrel are altercation, squabble, and wrangle. While all these words 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

When would altercation be a good substitute for quarrel?

The words altercation and quarrel can be used in similar contexts, but altercation implies fighting with words as the chief weapon, although it may also connote blows.

a loud public altercation

When can squabble be used instead of quarrel?

The synonyms squabble and quarrel are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 is it sensible to use wrangle instead of quarrel?

While the synonyms wrangle and quarrel are close in meaning, 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 quarrel
Noun
All three condemned the pressure tactics Trump used in the aftermath of his Oval Office quarrel with Zelensky. Tamar Jacoby, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025 Paramount Pictures Cohen et al. give a shoutout in their introduction to Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels, specifically the longstanding quarrel between the people of Lilliput and Blefuscu on the best orientation for cracking an egg. Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 26 May 2025
Verb
The women encourage their children to quarrel and fight, and teach them how it is done by actual combats with their neighbors. Robert Loerzel, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025 Now isn’t the time to quarrel with the coach, so, purely for context: Atkinson was an assistant on the last Golden State Warriors team to win a title in 2022, but Poole did not start next to Curry. Joe Vardon, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for quarrel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quarrel
Noun
  • News to Know Wisconsin lawsuit accuses Miami of tampering In the latest legal dispute amid the changing landscape of college sports, the University of Wisconsin filed a lawsuit against the University of Miami yesterday for allegedly tampering with a football player.
    and Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • The simmering dispute comes as protesters showed up at Dodger Stadium on Thursday to decry Dodgers’ silence amidst immigration raids and unrest in Los Angeles.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • As the family begins bickering, Alice/Nicola excuses herself from the table.
    Matt Cabral, EW.com, 26 May 2025
  • Mileage will also vary for the bickering chemistry between stars John Krasinski and Natalie Portman, though deft supporting turns inject welcome flashes of unpredictability into this mostly paint-by-numbers affair.
    Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • Santana said the altercation took place somewhere around the seventh inning.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 20 June 2025
  • Santana declined to discuss specifics of what prompted the altercation.
    Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • However, many argue the full effects of elevated tariffs haven't shown up in the data yet.
    Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 15 June 2025
  • Some within the Democratic Party are arguing that the California governor, seen as one of the contenders for the party’s nomination in 2028, is taking the right approach amidst the blowback.
    Filip Timotija, The Hill, 15 June 2025
Noun
  • Ordinary disagreements are now seen as grounds to capriciously immiserate and ruin lives, and failing that, to intimidate state leaders into capitulation.
    David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
  • In August 2021, Superfly terminated Mayers’ position at the company following internal disagreements with the three other co-founders of the entertainment company.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • Asked about the optics of the two groups fighting each other through open letters to city leadership, Martinez pointed out that both Black and Latino students have seen significant improvements in literacy rates under his tenure.
    Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2025
  • One idea was to add tanks or other iconic Army equipment to an exhibit parked on the National Mall where tourists could learn about the Army's history of fighting the nation's wars.
    Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 14 June 2025
Noun
  • At the heart of the controversy over Iran’s nuclear program is its enrichment of uranium – a process used to produce fuel for power plants that, at higher levels, can also be used to make a nuclear bomb.
    Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
  • Read Next Before payment controversy, Chief Johnny Jennings made progressive strides at CMPD June 6, 2025 11:23 AM This story was originally published June 13, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
    Maia Nehme, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • The first is that when U.S. soldiers returned from the war there, protesters spat upon them in disdain.
    Jonathan Zimmerman, Foreign Affairs, 19 May 2016
  • The flare comes after nearly a week of flares and coronal plasma ejections spat toward the planet that threatened disruptions to power and communications systems on Earth.
    Greg Wehner, Fox News, 15 May 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Quarrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quarrel. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

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