as in dispute
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 altercation
Dave Navarro, Eric Avery, and Stephen Perkins' action follows a 2024 onstage altercation that ended their tour.
—
Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 17 July 2025
In an interview with police, Williams told officers that the pair had allegedly been involved in an altercation the previous night, according to court documents.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2025
The altercation was captured in a video that the cameraman, identified by TMZ as Isaa Mansoor, posted to his Instagram page on Sunday (July 13).
—Rachel Scharf, Billboard, 14 July 2025
An altercation ensued and Holden was stabbed multiple times, prosecutors said.
—Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for altercation
Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 17 July 2025
In an interview with police, Williams told officers that the pair had allegedly been involved in an altercation the previous night, according to court documents.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2025
The altercation was captured in a video that the cameraman, identified by TMZ as Isaa Mansoor, posted to his Instagram page on Sunday (July 13).
—Rachel Scharf, Billboard, 14 July 2025
An altercation ensued and Holden was stabbed multiple times, prosecutors said.
—Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for altercation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for altercation
Noun
-
But there are still some sour grapes about the big tactical dispute in February.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
14 July 2025
-
Threads on the South Park subreddit and social media have lit up with foul-mouthed complaints from international fans, most of them directed at Paramount and David Ellison’s Skydance Media, whose $8 billion buyout of Paramount is at the heart of the South Park dispute.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Your celestial ruler, Mercury, will also station retrograde in your communication sector (for the win), triggering misunderstandings and unnecessary quarrels with siblings or neighbors.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
8 July 2025
-
According to writer and historian Geoffrey C. Ward, Johnson had his quarrels inside and outside the ring.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
The Trump administration has been caught up in controversy over the case for weeks as his supporters seek more transparency about Epstein's criminal case files.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
31 July 2025
-
The controversy exploded when Randi (@Randipandy_) posted a now-viral video from her car, blasting parents who refuse to buy even basic items for the classroom.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
The account, originally meant to help fund both of their college expenses, has now become the center of a family disagreement.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
31 July 2025
-
Brooke Hogan requested to be removed from estranged dad Hulk’s will, due to disagreements with those in the wrestling icon’s circle.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
30 July 2025
Noun
-
The media is focused on the fight between moderates and progressives as the party seeks to recover from their 2024 shellacking.—
John Opdycke,
New York Daily News,
21 July 2025
-
Shields won that fight by second-round TKO to become the WBC and WBF heavyweight champ.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
Police in Cincinnati are investigating a viral video that shows what appears to be a violent brawl in the downtown section of the city.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
28 July 2025
-
The match was a violent and bloody brawl between two of the era's biggest stars.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
In his ruling Thursday, Sabraw said the government did not prevail on any of those arguments.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 July 2025
-
Both sides will make their final arguments beginning at 1:30 p.m. Ridgewood and Jackson-Holbrook Little Leagues make up the other teams to advance to the state final.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
23 July 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
Cite this Entry
“Altercation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altercation. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share