as in dispute
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
frightened by noise of the squabble, the cat hid under the couch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to bicker
to express different opinions about something often angrily
the children squabbled loudly over who got to play with the toy first
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of squabble
Emily Brooks, The Hill, 12 June 2025
As happens between siblings, Lucas added that squabbles are common in their house, but this moment stood out for its sweetness.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 27 June 2025
Missouri legislators are set to squabble next week over whether to offer state aid for big-ticket sports stadium construction for both the Royals and the Chiefs.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for squabble
Noun
The House floor squabble was not the only confrontation in the Capitol on Thursday: As Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) delivered remarks about the Padilla incident — endorsing censure for the senator — a string of House Democrats heckled the Speaker.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 12 June 2025
As happens between siblings, Lucas added that squabbles are common in their house, but this moment stood out for its sweetness.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Verb
With Republicans squabbling over key provisions, Trump for the first time eased up on his previous ironclad demand that lawmakers get the bill to his desk by the Independence Day holiday.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 27 June 2025
Missouri legislators are set to squabble next week over whether to offer state aid for big-ticket sports stadium construction for both the Royals and the Chiefs.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for squabble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squabble
Noun
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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
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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
Verb
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As officials bickered over who had the right to investigate, the crime scene was overrun by gawkers who pocketed souvenirs and tampered with crucial evidence — including an unknown man’s handkerchief, a pair of glasses and the gun used in the murder.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
27 June 2025
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Trump withdrew his nomination of Isaacman as the president bickered with Musk in the waning days of the billionaire's formal involvement with the White House.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
26 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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What made the transformation into a cinematic cut possible was the high quality of the game, argued Pekař.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
9 July 2025
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The firm argues that without players like Jane Street, there would be no link between the Indian derivatives market and its real economy.—
Daniel Schlaepfer,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Noun
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Back in May, former Washington Commanders running back Adrian Peterson went viral for his involvement in a physical altercation at a poker game in Houston, Texas.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
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The altercation could be setting the stage for an official showdown between Jelly and Paul at this year’s SummerSlam, scheduled for Aug. 2–3 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Watch Jelly Roll face off with Logan Paul at WWE SmackDown in the clip below.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
13 July 2025
Verb
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The team is also fighting injuries within the starting rotation.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
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Five engines, two trucks, one squad, three ambulances, and three battalion chiefs assisted in fighting the fire.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
8 July 2025
Noun
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With no deadline spurring action and the clear potential for disagreement on valuation, this staring contest could go on for a while.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
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Pay attention to body language in order to spot disagreement.—
Jack Fowler,
National Review,
4 July 2025
Verb
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The first is that when U.S. soldiers returned from the war there, protesters spat upon them in disdain.—
Jonathan Zimmerman,
Foreign Affairs,
19 May 2016
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The flare comes after nearly a week of flares and coronal plasma ejections spat toward the planet that threatened disruptions to power and communications systems on Earth.—
Greg Wehner,
Fox News,
15 May 2024
Cite this Entry
“Squabble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squabble. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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