QUARRELS Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

quarrels 1 of 2

noun

plural of quarrel

as in disputes

an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions a loud quarrel erupted at the next table over

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quarrels

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of quarrel

as in bickers

to express different opinions about something often angrily the coach and the referee quarreled about whether the ball was in bounds

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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 quarrels

Noun

The overtones of social significance are adroitly handled and make real sense in an era of tragic international quarrels. — Thr Staff, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026 Unlike Christian priests and medicine men, who generally command respect, rainmakers are sometimes seen as malicious people who retaliate against whole communities for quarrels with their neighbors. — Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026 Candi is the family mediator Like any father-daughter coaching dynamic, Corey and Coco have had their fair share of quarrels on the tennis court. — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026 Rounding out the top five names were seven write-in votes for the Sacramento Capitals or Capitols — which could be nicknamed the Caps to avoid quarrels over the spelling — and six votes for the Sacramento Stingers or Sting, referencing the collegiate Sacramento State Hornets. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026 In a 2024 study, researchers found that chimpanzee mothers tended to step in to defend their children in quarrels—say, over food or space in a tree—in about half of cases the researchers observed in the wild. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 10 May 2026 As the trio quarrels, bonds and ventures through the wild unknown, Felix discovers that true bravery may change not only his own destiny, but also the future of his home. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 May 2026 Today the Moon in your sign is at odds with fiery Mars, hinting at domestic quarrels and problems. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026 His quarrels with Massie and interest in relitigating the 2020 election seem to animate him more, too. — W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026

Verb

The three bills also are not the first headline-grabbing action from Schroer, who serves as chair of the Senate’s hard-right Freedom Caucus, which frequently quarrels with GOP leadership. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quarrels

Noun

Earlier this week, a Times report revealed Zhang had previously been charged with child abuse for leaving her oldest daughter in a hot car for hours, while Xuan was accused in a civil lawsuit of using violence in landlord-tenant disputes.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
That provision could reignite disputes over whether Washington should establish a national standard or preserve stronger state protections.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of disputes

Verb

Thomas superspeeds Katerina to safety and Vision fights Butcherbird, but Butcherbird is faster and stronger.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
Water shortages do not often get attention from state lawmakers, and fights over resources can pit rural landowners against cities.

— Lexi Salazar, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of fights

Noun

Images showed altercations between police and protesters, with officers using batons to strike demonstrators, who threw barriers.

— Joseph Wilson, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
The election is taking place amid heightened political tensions in Serbia, with reports of incidents and physical altercations at campaign events.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of altercations

Verb

Nobody seriously argues that the gap proves our police, prosecutors, judges, and juries are biased against men.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
The group is chaired by Amy Kremer, a longtime Tea Party activist who argues Republicans are missing an opportunity to lead on AI policy that doesn’t cater to big companies.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of argues

Noun

While the show is beloved, its legacy has also been marred with a series of tragedies and controversies, both on and off screen.

— Saba Hamedy, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026
Rodríguez also accused Uthmeier of trying to divert attention from controversies involving Hope Florida and Alligator Alcatraz, the state’s immigration detention facility.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of controversies

Verb

Paul clashes with Neeley, Matthews, and Draper before storming out of the party, only to return and continue arguing with the group.

— Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
According to The Ankler, the film’s plot centers on a Black reenactor at a historical slave plantation museum who clashes with the Midwest town’s racist mayor, played by Parker.

— Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026