altercation

noun

ˌȯl-tər-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce altercation (audio)
Definition of altercationnext
as in dispute
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions judging from all the slamming and banging, I'd say there was some sort of altercation going on next door

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 The Memphis Police Department confirmed to Fox News Digital that Zachary Liberto, 30, was arrested following a verbal altercation with the priest about defacing the baptismal pool inside the church. —Stepheny Price, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2025 The day after Searchlight set a theatrical release date for Magazine Dreams, Majors was arrested following an altercation with his then-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. —Mike Miller, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025 Police said an altercation happened between people before the shooting took place. 99. —Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025 The 18-year-old’s boyfriend was seen in the footage attempting to stop the altercation. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for altercation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for altercation
  1. dispute
  2. quarrel
  3. controversy
  4. disagreement
  5. fight
  6. brawl
  7. argument
  8. bicker
Noun
  • An Amazon spokesperson declined to comment on the cancellations, but the company has noted in its annual report that international trade disputes, including tariffs, pose a risk to its business.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • No arrests were made, and there was no further investigation into the dispute.
    — Charna Flam, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • As the Venetians and the Ottoman Turks squabble over Cyprus in the background, the men before us quarrel over everything—a woman, a job, a handkerchief.
    — Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The basketball star has a reputation for being able to silence media noise in the most crucial moments, but the family element of this quarrel seems to have hit a little too close to home this time.
    — Christian Orozco, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of quarrel
Noun
  • Up next, a ubiquitous presence on television, unafraid of controversy, sounding off on everything from sports to pop culture to politics.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2025
  • The sort-of antagonist in The Last of Us Part II first stirred up controversy when the game originally debuted in 2020.
    — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of controversy
Noun
  • This is the classic day for disagreements with anyone in a position of authority.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Early disagreements or toxic positivity among leaders can leave deep, long-lasting cultural scars that become institutionalized as dysfunction.
    — Tracy Lawrence, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of disagreement
Noun
  • The 27-year-old’s striking was on point throughout the fight.
    — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Amid a protracted fight over the future of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, the Missouri Senate on Monday passed legislation that could attract one of the teams to the Northland.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of fight
Noun
  • Officials didn’t provide information about what might have sparked the brawl.
    — Brooke Baitinger, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Geopolitical tensions have leaked into competitive sports as of late, with brawls and anti-Donald Trump chants coloring U.S.-Canadian hockey games.
    — Story Hinckley, Christian Science Monitor, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of brawl
Noun
  • Gregory, who became known as Gregory the Great, had reasons to advance such an argument.
    — Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Combs’ defense team made arguments for delaying the trial up to two months, but the judge was not swayed.
    — KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of argument
Noun
  • 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
  • Meanwhile, Esmeralda bickers with her daughter Jacqueline (Tenley Stitzer), who’s terrified of nuclear war and obsessed with rocker David Lee Roth.
    — Celia Wren, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Definition of bicker

Browse Nearby Words

altercating
altercation
altercations
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Cite this Entry

“Altercation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altercation. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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