Synonym Chooser

How does the noun altercation contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of altercation are quarrel, squabble, and wrangle. While all these words mean "a noisy dispute usually marked by anger," altercation implies fighting with words as the chief weapon, although it may also connote blows.

a loud public altercation

Where would quarrel be a reasonable alternative to altercation?

In some situations, the words quarrel and altercation are roughly equivalent. However, 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 squabble instead of altercation?

The meanings of squabble and altercation largely overlap; however, 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 would wrangle be a good substitute for altercation?

The words wrangle and altercation can be used in similar contexts, but 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 altercation Dave Navarro, Eric Avery, and Stephen Perkins' action follows a 2024 onstage altercation that ended their tour. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 17 July 2025 In an interview with police, Williams told officers that the pair had allegedly been involved in an altercation the previous night, according to court documents. Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2025 The altercation was captured in a video that the cameraman, identified by TMZ as Isaa Mansoor, posted to his Instagram page on Sunday (July 13). Rachel Scharf, Billboard, 14 July 2025 An altercation ensued and Holden was stabbed multiple times, prosecutors said. Miami Herald, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for altercation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for altercation
Noun
  • But there are still some sour grapes about the big tactical dispute in February.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 14 July 2025
  • Threads on the South Park subreddit and social media have lit up with foul-mouthed complaints from international fans, most of them directed at Paramount and David Ellison’s Skydance Media, whose $8 billion buyout of Paramount is at the heart of the South Park dispute.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Your celestial ruler, Mercury, will also station retrograde in your communication sector (for the win), triggering misunderstandings and unnecessary quarrels with siblings or neighbors.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 8 July 2025
  • According to writer and historian Geoffrey C. Ward, Johnson had his quarrels inside and outside the ring.
    Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • Since then the Epstein controversy has become a major issue for Trump as backlash builds following the release of the DOJ memo.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 19 July 2025
  • Taylor Swift's surprise mural appearance and the controversy surrounding the sale of her masters to Scooter Braun added to the city's buzz.
    Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 19 July 2025
Noun
  • Internal disagreements among board members further complicate SDC's situation.
    Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 18 July 2025
  • Because of this, students should note that the topic of the disagreement matters far less than how the disagreement illuminates the student’s capacity for reflection, listening, and growth.
    Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Noun
  • Shields won that fight by second-round TKO to become the WBC and WBF heavyweight champ.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • The media is focused on the fight between moderates and progressives as the party seeks to recover from their 2024 shellacking.
    John Opdycke, New York Daily News, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • Chelsea's 3-0 FIFA Club World Cup victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, with President Donald Trump in attendance, was marred by a postgame brawl.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
  • In 2004, the two sides engaged in an ugly brawl with just under six minutes to play.
    David Ubben, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • In his ruling Thursday, Sabraw said the government did not prevail on any of those arguments.
    Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025
  • But courts across the country have rejected these arguments as overreaches, rooted more in political symbolism than legal standing.
    Albert R. Wynn, Baltimore Sun, 23 July 2025
Noun
  • The Hussein family bickers about which MENA ethnicities are better than others.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Better to follow the West German example and achieve full NATO membership for independent Ukraine than to watch essential U.S. support dwindle as Congress bickers and Trump’s reelection odds increase.
    M. E. Sarotte, Foreign Affairs, 8 July 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Altercation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altercation. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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