as in altercation
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
like any couple, they have their spats
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to bicker
to express different opinions about something often angrily
we tend to spat over money more than anything else
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of spat
Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Her words rubbed viewers and other contestants the wrong way, prompting a spat with fellow contestant Debbie.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Julia Frankel The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2023
The one charged with assault spat on a person, while the others spat towards people, police said to explain the different charges.
—Kareem Khadder, CNN, 4 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for spat
Noun
In October, a Peacock/Apple TV bundle was revealed (ahead of the NBA tipoff), and, after a lengthy public spat, Peacock is coming to YouTube TV.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Her words rubbed viewers and other contestants the wrong way, prompting a spat with fellow contestant Debbie.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
Israeli media reported that coalition lawmaker Simcha Rothman had joined a Sukkot march during which ultra-Orthodox Jews spat at churches.
—Julia Frankel The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2023
The one charged with assault spat on a person, while the others spat towards people, police said to explain the different charges.
—Kareem Khadder, CNN, 4 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for spat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spat
Noun
-
The Kings trailed by 15 when the altercation occurred.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
During a 2020 interview with DJ VLAD, Mack 10 rehashed the near-altercation with Common and reiterated that Fat Joe stepped in to smooth things over.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The pair bicker and bond their way through the whimsical Panda Kingdom, a vibrant world that blends the everyday with the extraordinary, carrying animals and humans alike into something at once magical and mundane.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
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Roberts and Tim Robbins play American journalists in Paris who lose their luggage and bicker over a hotel room and then wind up in bed together.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
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
Verb
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When its army entered Gaza in late 1956, the Israeli government argued that national security interests required it to control the Strip.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The issue of filing deadlines wasn't argued before the Supreme Court, nor the circuit court, Wood said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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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
Verb
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More than other age groups, teens have to fight to stay on a schedule that doesn't match their biology.—
NPR,
NPR,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Since taking office, Manzo, often seen wearing a bulletproof vest, had called on the federal government to do more to fight organized crime while expressing fears for his own safety.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 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
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But the mall’s boss has looked to exploit the controversy.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The two superstars immediately began brawling.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
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The soldiers’ pastimes of drinking, gambling, and brawling also offended many Bostonians, who retained the piety of their Pilgrim ancestors.—
Time,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spat. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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