QUARREL Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'quarrel' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of quarrel are altercation , squabble , and wrangle . While all these words mean "a noisy dispute usually marked by anger," quarrel implies heated verbal contention, stressing strained or severed relations which may persist beyond the contention. // a quarrel nearly destroyed the relationship

Q: When would 'altercation' be a good substitute for 'quarrel'?

The words altercation and quarrel 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

Q: When can 'squabble' be used instead of 'quarrel'?

The synonyms squabble and quarrel are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'wrangle' instead of 'quarrel'?

While the synonyms wrangle and quarrel are close in meaning, wrangle suggests undignified and often futile disputation with a noisy insistence on differing opinions. // wrangle interminably about small issues

quarrel 1 of 2

noun

Definition of quarrel

as in dispute

an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions a loud quarrel erupted at the next table over

Synonyms & Similar Words

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quarrel

2 of 2

verb

as in to bicker

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun quarrel contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of quarrel are altercation, squabble, and wrangle. While all these words mean "a noisy dispute usually marked by anger," quarrel implies heated verbal contention, stressing strained or severed relations which may persist beyond the contention.

a quarrel nearly destroyed the relationship

When would altercation be a good substitute for quarrel?

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

The synonyms squabble and quarrel are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 is it sensible to use wrangle instead of quarrel?

While the synonyms wrangle and quarrel are close in meaning, 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 quarrel

Noun

Their midnight rendezvous seems doomed to end in a quarrel until Mysaria heeds Sylvi’s advice. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026 From there, police detective Carlson (Bo Svenson, in a diabolically hateable performance) jumps to conclusions — clearly, Billy is also gay, and murdered Tom’s boyfriend in a lover’s quarrel, right? — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 31 July 2026

Verb

In fact, Twain might well have quarreled with the whole premise of celebrating America’s 250th birthday. — Ron Chernow, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026 Weston, an Auburn University student in Japan with his family to celebrate his brother’s high school graduation, disappeared May 29 after quarreling with his mother. — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for quarrel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quarrel

Noun

Witnesses told police the suspects got into a dispute with the victim at his car and shot him.

— Jason Green, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
For many in Canada, the dispute raises concerns about American interference with Canada’s national identity.

— Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of dispute

Verb

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
Still bloody in last night’s clothing, the two fill a cart with candy and bicker contentedly about the state of the candy industry—arguably also a wink at the state of film.

— JP Mangalindan, Time, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of bicker

Noun

Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh praised Natasha Cloud after she was involved in a verbal altercation with Enes Kanter Freedom.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
According to preliminary findings, the incident stemmed from an altercation between the victim and an adult female at the scene.

— CBS News Miami Digital Team, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of altercation

Verb

Opponents argue that the nation that won its independence from Denmark in 1944 enjoys all the benefits of European integration with no drawbacks.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Independent investigators, including the late doctor and whistleblower Gao Yaojie, argued the actual number could be much higher.

— CNN Staff, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of argue

Verb

That’s exactly what happened with money market funds, another savings instrument that the banks fought using questionable arguments, only to be proven wrong.

— Omid Malekan, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
The team comes up with scenarios in which Emi fights a mech or battles yakuza in the clouds, and the fights defy expectations.

— Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of fight

Noun

There was no controversy about this New York win, a night after Pete Alonso's deep fly ball against the Yankees was ruled foul with the game tied.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Google became embroiled in a prior controversy in February 2024 after its Gemini text-to-image tool produced portrayals of racially diverse German WW2 soldiers.

— Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of controversy

Verb

Mulroney, Ackerman, Snow, and Newman turn this story of spatting WAGS into an explosive, addictive watch.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2025
Preparation has cultural and regional variations, but the seed is usually chewed with slaked lime and betel leaves, and chewing releases a red juice that's often then spat out.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Aug. 2025

Definition of spat

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quarantining

quarrel

quarreled

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“Quarrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quarrel. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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