SQUABBLED Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

squabbled

verb

past tense of squabble

as in bickered

to express different opinions about something often angrily the children squabbled loudly over who got to play with the toy first

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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 squabbled The city and a group of taxpayers for years squabbled in court over whether the government had the right to enter into a contract with the Friends, which ultimately disbanded before the zoo opened in Griffith Park in 1966. — Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026 The countries have also squabbled over Pretoria’s affirmative action policies and a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 18 June 2026 Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan have also squabbled over who should have the jewel. — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026 The holdover Republicans who have remained attached to the party’s old identity (hawkish, pro-Israel, anti-Russia, opposed to anti-Semitism) have squabbled with its newer entrants. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026 The founders squabbled 11 years more over the Constitution, and states took another two years to ratify it. — Jackie Calmes, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026 Personalities from the stations have squabbled over the years, like rappers signed to labels with similar wares but diverging agendas. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025 This go-around hasn’t been much different as the party squabbled over which of their numerous health care proposals should receive a vote. — Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2025 Late risers in pajamas walked their dogs, two men squabbled over a parking spot, and neighbors and shopkeepers went about their routines. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for squabbled

Verb

The two of them together, just 17 months apart, shared playlists, bickered over where to stop during Apple CarPlay calls, pulled up beside me and faded away with silly faces, encapsulating 20 years of my life in my rearview mirror.

— Robert Duffer, AJC.com, 2 Oct. 2026
King bickered with fans on social media.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026

Definition of bickered

Verb

Some economists argued that government attempts to intervene in the economy were doomed to fail.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Among the clues supporting an asteroid origin are mineral and chemical signatures identified in material collected from the region that researchers have argued are consistent with a stony or carbonaceous asteroid.

— Micah Hanks, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of argued

Verb

Between these endpoints of hate and love came an hour-long C-SPAN broadcast, on November 30, 1993, in which the men quarrelled, teased, and fielded calls.

— Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
In Krisevich’s case, Konovalova repeatedly quarreled with the artist and his wife until the couple ultimately escaped Russia in December 2025.

— Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of quarreled

Verb

In contrast, the ad says Desmond fought to lower costs and supports suspending the gas tax.

— Kevin Freking, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
In the case of Yemen, the ground fighters inside the country who are taking on the Houthis are deeply divided and fought each other as recently as January.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of fought

Browse Nearby Words

squabble

squabbled

squabbler

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“Squabbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squabbled. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of squabbled

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