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 Schnall, whose squad beat East Carolina, 1-0, didn’t like what transpired in a reported altercation at the Chanticleers’ baseball complex. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2025 He was also suspended after an altercation with a member of staff after a game against Ipswich. Thom Harris, New York Times, 1 June 2025 After their altercation at the hamburger place, Jason pulls Danny aside at the Shark Party and issues him a teary apology. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 28 May 2025 Jaques said officers at 7:49 a.m. on Sunday received a complaint from a woman who reported that someone was following her vehicle while waving a gun following an altercation at a local gas station. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for altercation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for altercation
Noun
  • Phan was convicted of shooting up a high school graduation party after a dispute, killing an 18-year-old and a 15-year-old.
    Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2025
  • Officials from the United States and China met in London to talk about a range of different disputes that are separating them.
    Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • The whole saga, with Zelenskyy risking U.S. support through his quarrel with Trump before ultimately backing down, demonstrates how unprepared the Ukrainian leader was to engage with the new administration.
    Evan Nierman, Baltimore Sun, 13 Mar. 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
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
Noun
  • Another case is Egypt and Ethiopia, and their fight over a massive dam that is having an effect on the magnificent Nile River.
    Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
  • The Panthers are ready for a fight in this series, always, wherever.
    Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 15 June 2025
Noun
  • The overwhelming majority of Republicans stand behind President Donald Trump over Elon Musk, according to new polling, which comes as the public feud between the two billionaires erupted into an all-out brawl.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
  • The brawl marked the end of Atila and the pair’s friendship, with Weber leaving Small — and later reconnecting with Joel, to whom she was married from 1973-1982 — and the singer spiraling into a dark period of drink and depression.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • But Circuit Judge John Jordan issued an 18-page decision that rejected the arguments.
    News Service Of Florida, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2025
  • June 26: The Supreme Court upholds parts of the ban and schedules oral arguments for October.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • The Hussein family bickers about which MENA ethnicities are better than others.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Better to follow the West German example and achieve full NATO membership for independent Ukraine than to watch essential U.S. support dwindle as Congress bickers and Trump’s reelection odds increase.
    M. E. Sarotte, Foreign Affairs, 8 July 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Altercation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altercation. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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