as in altercation
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
like any couple, they have their spats
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to bicker
to express different opinions about something often angrily
we tend to spat over money more than anything else
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of spat
Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
The latest spat is one of many between Trump and O’Donnell, whose feud dates back nearly two decades.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2025
Liam Stack, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Aug. 2023
South Carolina was on the east bank and Georgia on the west; the temperature was in the fifties, and gray clouds spat water in our faces.
—Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 21 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for spat
Noun
Judkins’ ex-girlfriend told investigators that their spat began at the baggage claim of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, when Judkins got frustrated after reading messages from family members.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
The latest spat is one of many between Trump and O’Donnell, whose feud dates back nearly two decades.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2025
Verb
The teenager first asked the hotel to forgive him, the lawsuit said, but soon flew into a rage, screaming that the hotel was antisemitic and that its employees spat in people’s food.
—Liam Stack, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Aug. 2023
South Carolina was on the east bank and Georgia on the west; the temperature was in the fifties, and gray clouds spat water in our faces.
—Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 21 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for spat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spat
Noun
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During the altercation, a man pulled a gun and shot Ramirez.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
23 July 2025
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See Jackie Christie and Chantel’s unfortunate altercation above.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
22 July 2025
Verb
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For months, top state officials have been bickering about how best to deport people and positioning for Trump’s approval in the upcoming 2026 midterm races for governor, attorney general and other key positions.—
Katelyn Ferral,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
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In the days leading up to the decision, bickering among jury members appeared to delay the verdict.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
11 June 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Verb
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But McBride argues that, by this point, Americans had begun viewing hair style as a personal choice, making Jones’s ultimatums controversial.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
21 July 2025
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Critics will argue that normalization is politically suicidal for any Pakistani leader.—
Jack Rosen,
New York Daily News,
21 July 2025
Noun
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But there are still some sour grapes about the big tactical dispute in February.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
14 July 2025
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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
Verb
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The tribe also has fought to preserve shrinking numbers of the c'waam and koptu, two fish species central to the three tribal cultures that form the tribe.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
21 July 2025
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Experts say the relatively simple way to survive this current is to float, stay as calm as possible and don’t fight it.—
Tresa Baldas,
Freep.com,
21 July 2025
Noun
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What To Know An Atlas Intel poll of 1,935 Americans conducted amid the heat of the Epstein controversy, between July 13 and 18, found that Bondi's approval rating has dropped significantly since she was confirmed in February.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
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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
Verb
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These two pros were peaking this match perfectly. Rollins and Punk brawled on the table, and Seth hit a Pedigree on Punk.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
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The president spoke as if a war between nations was similar to a fight between brawling children.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spat. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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