altercation

noun

al·ter·ca·tion ˌȯl-tər-ˈkā-shən

Synonyms of altercation next

: a noisy, heated, angry dispute

He got into several altercations with his boss.

also : noisy controversy

Choose the Right Synonym for altercation

quarrel, wrangle, altercation, squabble 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

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 altercation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

An Arkansas State Police officer was arrested Tuesday following an altercation with his wife. Sgt. —

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 5 Nov. 2024 Embiid got into an altercation with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes after the 76ers’ loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. —

Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024 The phone's owner, who was wearing a Penn State hoodie at the time of the incident, could be seen walking closely behind and seemingly recording Jason before the altercation took place. —

Natasha Dye, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024 Last week, at Heathrow, a British Airways flight was delayed after two women got into an altercation reportedly over a MAGA cap. —

Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for altercation

Word History

Etymology

Middle English altercacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French altercacion, borrowed from Latin altercātiōn-, altercātiō, from altercārī, altercāre "to dispute vehemently, wrangle" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at altercate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of altercation was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Altercation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altercation. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

altercation

noun

al·ter·ca·tion ˌȯl-tər-ˈkā-shən

: a noisy or angry dispute

Last Updated: 13 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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altercation

noun

Synonyms

Examples of altercation in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near altercation

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition