BICKERING Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

bickering

verb

Definition of bickering

present participle of bicker

as in arguing

to express different opinions about something often angrily if you two don't stop bickering about where to go to eat, we're not going out at all!

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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 bickering There’s striker Josie Gordon, bickering twin sisters Siobhan and Niamh, glove-shunning goalie Katie ‘Boots’ Quinn and couple Maddie and Margy. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Back at the base, the team is still bickering with the other troopers. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2026 After bickering with Percy over her involvement in the mission, Thalia ultimately drives away from the scene. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 2026 Establishment figures such as Jeffries and the party’s 2028 presidential candidates will need to grasp that the relationship between the DSA and the Democratic Party is not one of occasionally bickering siblings, but of parasite and host. — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026 Several weeks back, Clark and White were caught bickering during a timeout huddle against the expansion Portland Fire. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 June 2026 The emotional distress may have stemmed from the family's extended trip together and bickering, his mother told USA TODAY on June 3. — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 3 June 2026 While the concrete cured, the starting eight matches of the first-ever World Cup were relocated to Pocitos and Gran Parque Central, the home grounds of capital rivals Peñarol and Nacional, who'd been bickering since their first meeting in July 1900. — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 May 2026 SpaceX and the Pentagon have been bickering about the price of using Starshield satellite service during the Iran war, according to a Reuters report published today. — ArsTechnica, 26 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bickering

Verb

Murdaugh’s defense quickly responded on Thursday, arguing none of the alternative locations proposed by the state meet their criteria.

— Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Kestou filed a motion last December to dismiss the charge, arguing the fire, not his storage of the canisters, caused Salter's death.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of arguing

Verb

Now might not seem the moment for Democrats to be quarrelling, but many of them believe that the only way to build the Party back up is to remake it.

— Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
The lack of money has, at times, led to quarrelling between the services - most notably pitting the navy against the army and the Royal Air Force.

— Ian King, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026

Definition of quarreling

Verb

Xi has said fighting against corruption is essential to the party’s survival, and its ability to stay in power depends on strict discipline and political loyalty.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
That carrier has been among the many Navy assets now in the Mideast fighting the president’s war in Iran and taking part in the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of fighting

Verb

There were the two seen squabbling with Jackie last month, another Shadow batted out of the nest before Luna and Sandy left and now eaglet KD1 is making her presence known.

— Joy Benedict, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
The squabbling banter between the two is priceless, even endearing.

— Randy Myers, Mercury News, 28 July 2026

Definition of squabbling

Verb

After weeks of behind-the-scenes wrangling, the CPUC voted unanimously to approve two settlement agreements with Charter that allow the merger to move forward.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Wireless charge pad Wireless charge pads are convenient devices that eliminate the hassle of wrangling power cords.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of wrangling

Browse Nearby Words

bickerers

bickering

bickers

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“Bickering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bickering. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of bickering

verb

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