: a noisy altercation or quarrel usually over petty matters
Synonyms
Examples of squabble in a Sentence
Noun
frightened by noise of the squabble, the cat hid under the couch
Verb
The children were squabbling over the toys.
the children squabbled loudly over who got to play with the toy first
Recent Examples on the Web
Chad De Guzman, TIME, 4 Feb. 2025
Yet, as is common during internal Democratic squabbles, fault lines in the race have formed not over ideological differences but over arguments about party mechanics.
—Reid J. Epstein, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 6 Dec. 2024
Trump has also repeatedly squabbled with Zuckerberg over the years.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for squabble 
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.
Noun
Lee Ha-nee (The Fiery Priest, Phantom) plays Chungmuro A-lister Jeong Hee-ran, who loses the lead role in the film after a squabble with the creator, and is eventually replaced by aspiring Shin Ju-ae, played by up-and-coming actor Bang Hyo-rin.
—Chad De Guzman, TIME, 4 Feb. 2025
Yet, as is common during internal Democratic squabbles, fault lines in the race have formed not over ideological differences but over arguments about party mechanics.
—Reid J. Epstein, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
The announcement from the 49-year-old speaker caps nearly two years of intraparty squabbling over how the House operates and how much, if any, say the Democrats should have in setting the chamber's legislative agenda.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 6 Dec. 2024
Trump has also repeatedly squabbled with Zuckerberg over the years.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for squabble
Dictionary Entries Near squabble
Cite this Entry
“Squabble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squabble. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
squabble
1 of 2 noun
squab·ble
ˈskwäb-əl 
: a noisy quarrel usually over unimportant things
squabble
2 of 2 verb
squabbled; squabbling
ˈskwäb-(ə-)liŋ
: to quarrel noisily for little or no reason : wrangle
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share