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
  • Approach with caution, look at reviews, and maybe don’t use your main credit card (or at least keep your bank’s dispute line handy).
    — Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 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
  • The controversy stems from fears that ByteDance could be compelled by Chinese law to share U.S. user data or manipulate content for propaganda purposes.
    — Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Plus, there’s no shortage of controversy in modern politics—use this recipe as a starting point for your own cheeky and timely dessert.
    — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of controversy
Noun
  • Netanyahu fired Ronen Bar, the previous holder of the post, last month after disagreements over who should be held responsible for failing to prevent the October 2023 attack by Hamas that triggered the war in Gaza.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Apr. 2025
  • An Israeli official denied that there was any disagreement between the two leaders.
    — Mick Krever, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of disagreement
Noun
  • In the co-main event of the fight card, Brandon Grach and Liam Talivaa face off in a heavyweight rematch.
    — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • During the Veterans Memorial Invitational Tournament in Egg Harbor Township, which is about eight miles outside Atlantic City, a fight broke out between players on the Maple Shade Cadet and Frenzy Cadet teams.
    — Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 4 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
  • The argument is awkward for Warner Bros. Discovery, given that Rowling and Oliver are effectively colleagues.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2025
  • No argument, but the Toronto Bridesmaids — er, Blue Jays — didn’t have much of a choice with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The loss of Guerrero — a native Canadian, homegrown talent and franchise pillar — would have devastated the Jays.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 7 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 16 Apr. 2025.

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