squabble

1 of 2

noun

squab·​ble ˈskwä-bəl How to pronounce squabble (audio)
: a noisy altercation or quarrel usually over petty matters

squabble

2 of 2

verb

squabbled; squabbling ˈskwä-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce squabble (audio)

intransitive verb

: to quarrel noisily and usually over petty matters
squabbler noun
Choose the Right Synonym for squabble

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 squabble in a Sentence

Noun frightened by noise of the squabble, the cat hid under the couch Verb The children were squabbling over the toys. the children squabbled loudly over who got to play with the toy first
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.
Noun
Here are some of the wildest moments from the documentary, from dramatic guest stories to showbiz squabbles. William Earl, Variety, 7 Jan. 2025 But ultimately, the argument being made by many Republicans that the House could ill afford an early-hours intra-party squabble was insufficient to spare the GOP a family fight from the start. Philip Elliott, TIME, 3 Jan. 2025
Verb
The announcement from the 49-year-old speaker caps nearly two years of intraparty squabbling over how the House operates and how much, if any, say the Democrats should have in setting the chamber's legislative agenda. John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 6 Dec. 2024 Trump has also repeatedly squabbled with Zuckerberg over the years. Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for squabble 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish dialect skvabbel dispute

First Known Use

Noun

1602, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1604, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of squabble was in 1602

Dictionary Entries Near squabble

Cite this Entry

“Squabble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squabble. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

squabble

1 of 2 noun
squab·​ble ˈskwäb-əl How to pronounce squabble (audio)
: a noisy quarrel usually over unimportant things

squabble

2 of 2 verb
squabbled; squabbling ˈskwäb-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce squabble (audio)
: to quarrel noisily for little or no reason : wrangle
squabbler noun

More from Merriam-Webster on squabble

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