as in disputes
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
a loud quarrel erupted at the next table over
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in bickers
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
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Recent Examples of quarrels
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2026
In a 2024 study, researchers found that chimpanzee mothers tended to step in to defend their children in quarrels—say, over food or space in a tree—in about half of cases the researchers observed in the wild.
—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
10 May 2026
As the trio quarrels, bonds and ventures through the wild unknown, Felix discovers that true bravery may change not only his own destiny, but also the future of his home.
—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
10 May 2026
Today the Moon in your sign is at odds with fiery Mars, hinting at domestic quarrels and problems.
—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 Feb. 2026
His quarrels with Massie and interest in relitigating the 2020 election seem to animate him more, too.
—
W. James Antle Iii,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
This is the style that Newsom has employed on broadcasts with figures like Kirk and in public quarrels with Joe Rogan.
—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
Some of the quarrels that divided Minneapolis city leaders only a few weeks ago, over policing or Gaza or the budget, have faded as people have come together to oppose ICE.
—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
The republic would treat other nations with civility precisely in order to remain independent of their appetites and quarrels.
—
Maurizio Valsania,
The Conversation,
9 Jan. 2026
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
Rounding out the top five names were seven write-in votes for the Sacramento Capitals or Capitols — which could be nicknamed the Caps to avoid quarrels over the spelling — and six votes for the Sacramento Stingers or Sting, referencing the collegiate Sacramento State Hornets.
—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2026
In a 2024 study, researchers found that chimpanzee mothers tended to step in to defend their children in quarrels—say, over food or space in a tree—in about half of cases the researchers observed in the wild.
—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
10 May 2026
As the trio quarrels, bonds and ventures through the wild unknown, Felix discovers that true bravery may change not only his own destiny, but also the future of his home.
—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
10 May 2026
Today the Moon in your sign is at odds with fiery Mars, hinting at domestic quarrels and problems.
—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 Feb. 2026
His quarrels with Massie and interest in relitigating the 2020 election seem to animate him more, too.
—
W. James Antle Iii,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
This is the style that Newsom has employed on broadcasts with figures like Kirk and in public quarrels with Joe Rogan.
—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
Some of the quarrels that divided Minneapolis city leaders only a few weeks ago, over policing or Gaza or the budget, have faded as people have come together to oppose ICE.
—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
The republic would treat other nations with civility precisely in order to remain independent of their appetites and quarrels.
—
Maurizio Valsania,
The Conversation,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
The three bills also are not the first headline-grabbing action from Schroer, who serves as chair of the Senate’s hard-right Freedom Caucus, which frequently quarrels with GOP leadership.
—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quarrels
Noun
-
Herzog won a power struggle in the front office, then quit anyway, amid disputes with ownership.
-
According to Castillo, one of the most significant failures has been the tendency to treat many squatter complaints as civil disputes rather than criminal investigations.
Verb
-
The pope, played by Samora la Perdida, is a mincing oaf who bickers with Galas about the value of translating Wagner.
Noun
-
Some states chose not to send representatives; several of them cited disagreements with the partisan mission.
-
The city commission reached a major step forward on the project after months of delays and disagreements over the best way to replace the old City Hall, which was damaged beyond repair by the historic flooding of April 2023.
Verb
-
Agamemnon is the commander of the Greek army that fights the Trojan War for the recovery of Menelaus’s wife, Helen.
-
What fights an itch depends on its cause and there's a need for better treatments.
Noun
-
During his time with the Pistons, he was known for getting into altercations with opposing players, most recently in February 2026, when he was suspended for seven games following a fight with the Charlotte Hornets.
-
Court documents describe multiple violent altercations between Spencer and his wife leading up to the murder and one arrest after Spencer hit his wife and threatened to kill her.
Verb
-
The birthright citizenship ruling was a win for democracy — and a warning about erasing history, argues columnist Anita Chabria.
-
Midjourney’s motion argues that it should also be allowed to dig deeper.
Noun
-
But the Dodgers organization seems to always find itself in the middle of other off-field controversies, and last season was no exception.
-
Can Foxx remember a time when all three main wings of local government in Charlotte were dealing with such big changes and controversies?
Verb
-
Getting things done may be harder than usual when the sun clashes with Neptune.
-
Nader is set to play Selene, a captain of the Zuma Beach Lifeguards, who often clashes with Amell's character, Hobie Buchannon, her fellow co-captain.
Cite this Entry
“Quarrels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quarrels. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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