quarrel 1 of 2

quarrel

2 of 2

verb

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
This time, however, testimony suggested a thornier layer to the quarrel: Phillip said the family had learned a few years earlier that the older brother was not Ferguson’s biological child. Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025 While Ringo tries to insist the fight is between him and Earp, Holliday says not so fast, sir, citing a quarrel earlier in the film. Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
Now isn’t the time to quarrel with the coach, so, purely for context: Atkinson was an assistant on the last Golden State Warriors team to win a title in 2022, but Poole did not start next to Curry. Joe Vardon, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025 Few would quarrel with a program aimed at overcoming the isolation that deaf and hard-of-hearing people may experience, but its creation nearly a half-century ago illustrates the wheeling and self-dealing that dominated the Capitol in the 1970s and 1980s. Dan Walters, Orange County Register, 5 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for quarrel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quarrel
Noun
  • Lee-Gardner became involved in the dispute and is accused of hitting the homeowner in her head with a pistol.
    Mike Stunson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 2025
  • This dispute is one of several signs revealing a worsening relationship between the two leaders, reflecting broader disagreements on Iran, regional conflicts, economic policy, and diplomatic priorities.
    Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • In the film, Lawrence and her co-star Robert Pattinson proved worthy adversaries, who bicker and screw their way into emotional oblivion in Ramsay’s tense portrait of a woman undone.
    Matt Donnelly, Variety, 17 May 2025
  • Protesters shouted from the back of the room and lawmakers bickered.
    Eric Lipton, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Jaques said officers at 7:49 a.m. on Sunday received a complaint from a woman who reported that someone was following her vehicle while waving a gun following an altercation at a local gas station.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2025
  • Initial data provided by the department suggest that practicing the martial art not only helps boost officers' physical and mental health, but also enables cops to use less force during an arrest or altercation.
    Katja Ridderbusch, NPR, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • In a recent interview with The Bee, Weber criticized new efforts — including from members of her own party — to speed up California’s vote count, arguing elections officials already prioritize security and voter access.
    Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2025
  • The moderates advocated for an increase to the SALT cap, currently set at $10,000, but argued that the $30,000 cap outlined in the package remained too low.
    Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • However, disagreements on how she would be featured ended without a cover and with the friendship irrevocably broken.
    Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 19 May 2025
  • Some of my issues with it boil down to disagreements with Naughty Dog’s choices.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • The current plan would lift the SALT cap from $10,000 to $30,000, but a handful of blue-state Republicans have been fighting to raise the cap higher.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 21 May 2025
  • Moving to Italy was a big jump and then moving here was another big jump: from Serie B to a big club that fights in European competition.
    Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Her crypto controversy began the very next day, resulting in a show hiatus.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 20 May 2025
  • Meanwhile, Trump and his allies have attracted their own commencement controversies.
    Emma Whitford, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • The first is that when U.S. soldiers returned from the war there, protesters spat upon them in disdain.
    Jonathan Zimmerman, Foreign Affairs, 19 May 2016
  • The flare comes after nearly a week of flares and coronal plasma ejections spat toward the planet that threatened disruptions to power and communications systems on Earth.
    Greg Wehner, Fox News, 15 May 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Quarrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quarrel. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.

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