quarrel implies heated verbal contention, stressing strained or severed relations which may persist beyond the contention.
a quarrel nearly destroyed the relationship
wrangle suggests undignified and often futile disputation with a noisy insistence on differing opinions.
wrangle interminably about small issues
altercation implies fighting with words as the chief weapon, although it may also connote blows.
a loud public altercation
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
Examples of squabble in a Sentence
Noun
frightened by noise of the squabble, the cat hid under the couch Verb
The children were squabbling over the toys.
the children squabbled loudly over who got to play with the toy first
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Noun
Here was a man who had never been arrested, who, as far as anyone knew, had never committed a violent act, not even during the most intense marital squabbles.—Rich Cohen, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2025 The intraparty squabbles between moderates and progressives that have dominated the past decade have given way to different fault lines.—Charlotte Alter, Time, 19 May 2025
Verb
What can’t be squabbled over is how important a win Wednesday would be for both fan bases.—Alex Tabet, NBC news, 20 May 2025 The Vernon Point Neighborhood Association is a passionate bunch, whether squabbling over historically inaccurate porch railings or debating trash can protocol.—Greg Evans, Deadline, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for squabble
Word History
Etymology
Noun
probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish dialect skvabbel dispute
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