squabble 1 of 2

noun

ˈskwä-bəl How to pronounce squabble (audio)
Definition of squabblenext
as in dispute
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions frightened by noise of the squabble, the cat hid under the couch

Synonyms & Similar Words

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squabble

2 of 2

verb

as in to bicker
to express different opinions about something often angrily the children squabbled loudly over who got to play with the toy first

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun squabble contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of squabble are altercation, quarrel, and wrangle. While all these words mean "a noisy dispute usually marked by anger," 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 could altercation be used to replace squabble?

The words altercation and squabble 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 quarrel be used instead of squabble?

While the synonyms quarrel and squabble are close in meaning, quarrel implies heated verbal contention, stressing strained or severed relations which may persist beyond the contention.

a quarrel nearly destroyed the relationship

When is it sensible to use wrangle instead of squabble?

The words wrangle and squabble are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wrangle suggests undignified and often futile disputation with a noisy insistence on differing opinions.

wrangle interminably about small issues

How does the noun squabble contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of squabble are altercation, quarrel, and wrangle. While all these words mean "a noisy dispute usually marked by anger," 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 could altercation be used to replace squabble?

The words altercation and squabble 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 quarrel be used instead of squabble?

While the synonyms quarrel and squabble are close in meaning, quarrel implies heated verbal contention, stressing strained or severed relations which may persist beyond the contention.

a quarrel nearly destroyed the relationship

When is it sensible to use wrangle instead of squabble?

The words wrangle and squabble are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 squabble
Noun
That March 4 decision stemmed from a squabble between the two parties after Anthropic refused to lift restrictions on its Claude AI model to be used for domestic surveillance or autonomous weapons. —John Kell, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026 But even with the reduced wishlist, many bills died in House-Senate squabbles. —Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
Out on the Florida Panhandle, oceanfront-property owners squabble with the public over beach access. —Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026 The founders squabbled 11 years more over the Constitution, and states took another two years to ratify it. —Jackie Calmes, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for squabble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squabble
  1. dispute
  2. bicker
  3. quarrel
  4. argue
  5. altercation
  6. fight
  7. disagreement
  8. spat
Noun
  • The unresolved regulatory boundaries have led to numerous legal disputes with the states and tribes that regulate and tax gambling.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
  • This week, the dispute between The Deb actress Charlotte MacInnes and its director, Rebel Wilson, spilled into the Federal Court in Australia, and Jake has been tracking the story.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026
Definition of dispute
Verb
  • Rollins and Breakker bickered over who was responsible for Breakker’s success.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The two get to bickering about her terrible track record, with Dennis hilariously failing to realize that this accusation includes him among the questionable men.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Definition of bicker
Noun
  • As the quarrel turned physical, the woman pushed Smith to the ground, witnesses told police.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026
  • What followed was a benches-clearing quarrel between Miller, Sal Stewart and their respective teams, the dramatic conclusion to a two-day saga between the Giants and Reds featuring beanballs, cuss words and aggressive gesticulation.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Definition of quarrel
Verb
  • Trump has argued that last weekend’s shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner demonstrates why the ballroom is needed to hold safe, secure events for the president and other officials.
    — Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Some have argued that social media activity amounts to citizen journalism, but mostly citizen journalism appeared to have been displaced or subsumed by social media.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Definition of argue
Noun
  • At 20, he was arrested after a routine traffic stop turned into a violent altercation with police.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The altercation between Avdija and Castle put an end to a frustrating day for the Trail Blazers, who lost Game 4 by 21 points after holding a 17-point lead at halftime.
    — The Athletic NBA Staff, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Definition of altercation
Verb
  • Viel also finished the game by fighting Podkolzin.
    — Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Does the fact that none of this was effective—at least in the sense that Trump hasn’t been driven from the political scene for good—suggest that Democrats should now fight dirtier?
    — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Definition of fight
Noun
  • Massie came to Congress as a spending hawk, and more than a decade later, that remains his signature issue and the source of many of his disagreements with GOP leaders.
    — Russell Berman, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026
  • And the choices may provoke some disagreement.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Definition of disagreement
Verb
  • Callie and Arizona: Another couple spatting over kids.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Mulroney, Ackerman, Snow, and Newman turn this story of spatting WAGS into an explosive, addictive watch.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2025
Definition of spat

Browse Nearby Words

squab
squabble
squabbled
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Cite this Entry

“Squabble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squabble. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on squabble

Nglish: Translation of squabble for Spanish Speakers

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