as in altercation
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
like any couple, they have their spats
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to bicker
to express different opinions about something often angrily
we tend to spat over money more than anything else
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of spat
The Week Uk, TheWeek, 24 Jan. 2026
As one of Cohen's most frequent guests on his late-night talk show Watch What Happens Live, Rapaport has generated some of its most viral and debated moments, like a fiery 2018 spat between the actor and Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Jan. 2026
Julia Frankel The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2023
The one charged with assault spat on a person, while the others spat towards people, police said to explain the different charges.
—Kareem Khadder, CNN, 4 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for spat
Noun
The spat between two of the most provocative business leaders quickly went viral.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 24 Jan. 2026
As one of Cohen's most frequent guests on his late-night talk show Watch What Happens Live, Rapaport has generated some of its most viral and debated moments, like a fiery 2018 spat between the actor and Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
Israeli media reported that coalition lawmaker Simcha Rothman had joined a Sukkot march during which ultra-Orthodox Jews spat at churches.
—Julia Frankel The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2023
The one charged with assault spat on a person, while the others spat towards people, police said to explain the different charges.
—Kareem Khadder, CNN, 4 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for spat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spat
Noun
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Then, with many on the court at this point, Stewart came rushing off the Pistons’ bench to confront Bridges, throwing a punch as their altercation became the focal point of the madness on the hardwood.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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At that point, an altercation ensued, and everyone was eventually forced outside, and the staff shut the door, according to court documents.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The choice not to pick a team has left fans bickering with each other.—
Mike Sullivan,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
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The pair also bicker a bit as Aniston pauses mid-styling session to tame her own ‘do.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But before the action alights in the location of the latest dispute between adjacent property owners to catch the eye of directors Harrison Fishman and Dylan Redford (yes, grandson of Robert), the shot fills with the telltale red, white and blue of the American flag.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
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While Japan has seized fishing vessels from South Korea and Taiwan in recent years, the incident is the first involving a vessel from China since 2022 and comes against the backdrop of a major diplomatic dispute between the countries.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Proponents of banning firms such as Blackstone from buying single-family homes, many of whom are on the Left and populist Right, argue that those investors are crowding out the market for homebuyers.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Feb. 2026
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Why pigeons can outperform drones in some missions The startup argued that pigeons offer practical advantages over conventional drones in specific environments.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
Verb
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For some people, dogs are a way to feel loved, to relieve pressures to have kids, to fight the drudgery of their job, to reduce the stress of the rat race and to connect with the outdoors.—
Margret Grebowicz,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
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Ask a Native person why Native people have volunteered to fight in the US’s wars overseas, including in Korea, my homeland, and Vietnam, the most recent nation of origin of many of my refugee friends.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Independent reported that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who is also facing Epstein connected controversy over the appointment and subsequent firing of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States, attended the reception.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
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But the controversy surrounding the event with halftime performer Bad Bunny likely stoked additional interest.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Rose then brawled with another user who accused the ambassador of interfering in Polish politics.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Feb. 2026
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As the man brawls with his in-laws, the boy is caught between two worlds, of male rage and female subjection.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spat. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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