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
The public quarrel between New Zealand and Cook Islands — which share a passport, a military and constitutional ties — was a victory for Beijing’s efforts to woo Pacific leaders and a blow to Western countries’ efforts to counter China’s sway, analysts said. Charlotte Graham-McLay, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2025 After nearly two centuries of bitter but worthless wrangling, one of the longest-running cultural quarrels in Europe might soon be entering its epilogue. Ralph Leonard, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2025
Verb
Khrushchev’s comrades did cite his misadventures during the Cuban missile crisis and his quarreling with China among reasons for his ouster. Sergey Radchenko, Foreign Affairs, 22 Sep. 2022 People quarrel while pumpkins grow round on thick green vines. Laurel Snyder, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for quarrel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quarrel
Noun
  • Listen to this article A judge ordered a Chicago landlord last month to pay $80,000 to former tenants after the landlord threatened to call ICE on them during a verbal dispute in June 2020, according to court documents.
    Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
  • After two years of litigation and arbitration, Adidas and Ye reached an out-of-court resolution of their contractual dispute stemming from Adidas terminating the relationship.
    Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Without politics to bicker over or political visions to debate, the candidates mostly pitched themselves and their personal connections to the community.
    Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Meeting in Munich This combination of carping about America, bickering with each other, and grandstanding for the cameras has typified European responses to the Russian invasion of Feb. 24, 2022, and the three years of war that followed.
    Dominic Green, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • While some Iranian reformists have traditionally advocated for talks with the U.S., the Oval Office altercation has led to a reassessment.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Not that this is necessarily the reason but an AI bot making Oscar predictions is forecasting a Will Smith/Chris Rock-style altercation between Brody and Chalamet.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In an interview with Sky Sport before Liverpool’s convincing win over Manchester City earlier this month, Salah—while respecting opposing marksman Erling Haaland’s talents—argued the number nine’s job is more straightforward than hitting the same heights from the wing (German).
    Henry Flynn, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Prosecutors argued that the crimes shared the same modus operandi and that many witnesses overlap.
    Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Beyond being able to view things rationally, cognitive reappraisal also offers you and your partner the time to cool off when a disagreement becomes heated.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Glimcher was his most reliable link to the outside world, but many of their conversations ended in disagreement.
    Andrew Moore, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Formulated with zinc pyrithione (this is what actively fights flaky skin), squalane (boosts shine), and sugar kelp extract (prevents inflammation and bacteria growth), this is a total powerhouse haircare product.
    Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Russia has skirted around Pokrovsk, a city key to Ukrainian defenses in the east, rather than fighting inside the settlement.
    Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Not without controversy AstroForge has already butted heads with the science community.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN, 25 Feb. 2025
  • The message blip, which was replicated several times by The New York Times, provoked controversy after appearing in a viral TikTok post, raising questions about Apple’s artificial intelligence capabilities.
    Tripp Mickle, New York Times, 25 Feb. 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 12 Mar. 2025.

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