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
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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
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