quarrel 1 of 2

quarrel

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun quarrel contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of quarrel are altercation, squabble, and wrangle. While all these words mean "a noisy dispute usually marked by anger," quarrel implies heated verbal contention, stressing strained or severed relations which may persist beyond the contention.

a quarrel nearly destroyed the relationship

When would altercation be a good substitute for quarrel?

The words altercation and quarrel can be used in similar contexts, but altercation implies fighting with words as the chief weapon, although it may also connote blows.

a loud public altercation

When can squabble be used instead of quarrel?

The synonyms squabble and quarrel are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 is it sensible to use wrangle instead of quarrel?

While the synonyms wrangle and quarrel are close in meaning, 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 quarrel
Noun
But in Mexico, which in defeat was forced to cede more than half of its territory to the U.S., memories of the war and other military quarrels with the nation’s powerful northern neighbor remain deeply felt. Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025 Knowing her grandson was outside, Mette called out to the group as the commotion grew, demanding the quarrel stop and for her grandchild to leave, sources said. Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
The women encourage their children to quarrel and fight, and teach them how it is done by actual combats with their neighbors. Robert Loerzel, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025 Now isn’t the time to quarrel with the coach, so, purely for context: Atkinson was an assistant on the last Golden State Warriors team to win a title in 2022, but Poole did not start next to Curry. Joe Vardon, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for quarrel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quarrel
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • There’s a genuine brother-and-sister warmth between the Andy and Piper characters in Bring Her Back — and plenty of sibling bickering too.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 30 May 2025
  • Yet a design challenge is a smart choice to assign this particular group of queens because that means locking them in the workroom to bicker between assembling garments.
    Chris Feil, Vulture, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • This wasn’t the first altercation to take place at one of Beyoncé’s recent shows.
    Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 7 June 2025
  • The jail altercation has since escalated into a wider conflict between the Sheriff’s Office and the Broward State Attorney’s Office.
    Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Nicholson argues the clock reset every time she was turned away from the stage.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 3 June 2025
  • Debates over existing recommendations Administration officials argue the shots are no longer necessary for healthy pregnant women, kids and younger adults under 65 because so many people have so much immunity at this point.
    Rob Stein, NPR, 3 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
Verb
  • There are mysteries to be solved and fights to be fought, but most of all, there’s a lot of growing up to do.
    Marta Balaga, Variety, 14 June 2025
  • Asked about the optics of the two groups fighting each other through open letters to city leadership, Martinez pointed out that both Black and Latino students have seen significant improvements in literacy rates under his tenure.
    Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 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
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

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Cite this Entry

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

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