as in dispute
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
a loud quarrel erupted at the next table over
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to bicker
to express different opinions about something often angrily
the coach and the referee quarreled about whether the ball was in bounds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
Victor Bautista got into an argument with his killer in front of NYCHA’s Moore Houses, across the street from troubled St. Mary’s Park, in Mott Haven about 7:45 a.m.
As the quarrel escalated, the gunman shot Bautista in the chest near Trinity Ave.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
CBS News, 17 June 2025
Split in their reactions on how to deal with the invaders, the community begins by quarrelling at emergency meeting called to thrash out a strategy regarding the foxes as tensions between its members escalate towards the very violence attributed to the invading beasts.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for quarrel
Noun
Britain agreed to do so in a draft deal in October, but that has been delayed by a change of government in Mauritius and reported quarrels over how much the U.K. should pay for the lease of the Diego Garcia air base.
—Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
Victor Bautista got into an argument with his killer in front of NYCHA’s Moore Houses, across the street from troubled St. Mary’s Park, in Mott Haven about 7:45 a.m.
As the quarrel escalated, the gunman shot Bautista in the chest near Trinity Ave.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
Verb
Conservative talk-radio host John Reid became the de facto nominee for lieutenant governor after his primary opponent left the race, and despite intraparty quarreling.
—CBS News, 17 June 2025
Split in their reactions on how to deal with the invaders, the community begins by quarrelling at emergency meeting called to thrash out a strategy regarding the foxes as tensions between its members escalate towards the very violence attributed to the invading beasts.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for quarrel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quarrel
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
Verb
-
For months, top state officials have been bickering about how best to deport people and positioning for Trump’s approval in the upcoming 2026 midterm races for governor, attorney general and other key positions.—
Katelyn Ferral,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
-
In the days leading up to the decision, bickering among jury members appeared to delay the verdict.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
11 June 2025
Noun
-
During the altercation, a man pulled a gun and shot Ramirez.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
23 July 2025
-
See Jackie Christie and Chantel’s unfortunate altercation above.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which King co-founded in 1957, opposed the release, arguing that the FBI illegally surveilled King and other civil rights figures.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
21 July 2025
-
As a result, the government argues, the university is not entitled to these research dollars.—
Elissa Nadworny,
NPR,
21 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
-
Some of the disagreement likely reflects jockeying to replace Powell, whose term ends in May 2026.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Chicago Tribune,
30 July 2025
Verb
-
Remember, strong relationships don’t mean never fighting.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Trump’s tariffs are unpopular in polls, and businesses have fought them.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
1 Aug. 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
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
Cite this Entry
“Quarrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quarrel. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share