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
Michael Teo Van Runkle, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025
The rallying cry by McAfee, a former Indianapolis Colts punter, further perpetuated the small city vs. big city spat that has hung over the Knicks-Pacers rivalry since their frequent playoff bouts in the 1990s.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 May 2025
Liam Stack, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Aug. 2023
South Carolina was on the east bank and Georgia on the west; the temperature was in the fifties, and gray clouds spat water in our faces.
—Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 21 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for spat
Noun
This freed up more space for additional cooling via the front fascia, which further benefits from canard spat dive planes.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025
The rallying cry by McAfee, a former Indianapolis Colts punter, further perpetuated the small city vs. big city spat that has hung over the Knicks-Pacers rivalry since their frequent playoff bouts in the 1990s.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 May 2025
Verb
The teenager first asked the hotel to forgive him, the lawsuit said, but soon flew into a rage, screaming that the hotel was antisemitic and that its employees spat in people’s food.
—Liam Stack, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Aug. 2023
South Carolina was on the east bank and Georgia on the west; the temperature was in the fifties, and gray clouds spat water in our faces.
—Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 21 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for spat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spat
Noun
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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
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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
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As the family begins bickering, Alice/Nicola excuses herself from the table.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
26 May 2025
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Mileage will also vary for the bickering chemistry between stars John Krasinski and Natalie Portman, though deft supporting turns inject welcome flashes of unpredictability into this mostly paint-by-numbers affair.—
Todd Gilchrist,
Variety,
22 May 2025
Noun
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Paramount Pictures Cohen et al. give a shoutout in their introduction to Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels, specifically the longstanding quarrel between the people of Lilliput and Blefuscu on the best orientation for cracking an egg.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
26 May 2025
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The whole saga, with Zelenskyy risking U.S. support through his quarrel with Trump before ultimately backing down, demonstrates how unprepared the Ukrainian leader was to engage with the new administration.—
Evan Nierman,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Kompany argued against that approach in the pre-game press conference yesterday, pointing to his experience playing with the national team against smaller nations.—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
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However, many argue the full effects of elevated tariffs haven't shown up in the data yet.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,
CNBC,
15 June 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Verb
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If there are a number of cautions on Sunday, don’t be surprised if some teams begin to fight mechanical gremlins.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
14 June 2025
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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
Noun
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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
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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
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The scene at Pop Mart stores can also be chaotic, as some TikTok users have posted videos depicting customers brawling and yelling at one another over the viral toys.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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The two continued brawling down the block on Baychester Ave., where the victim pulled out a knife and the suspect opened fire, a police source said.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spat. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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