squabble

1 of 2

noun

squab·ble ˈskwä-bəl

Synonyms of squabble next

: a noisy altercation or quarrel usually over petty matters

squabble

2 of 2

verb

squabbled; squabbling ˈskwä-b(ə-)liŋ

intransitive verb

: to quarrel noisily and usually over petty matters

squabbler

ˈskwä-b(ə-)lər

noun

Choose the Right Synonym for squabble

quarrel, wrangle, altercation, squabble mean a noisy dispute usually marked by anger.

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Emotions run high when Alexander and Elena pay a visit as squabbles over money, love and sacrifice come to a head. —

Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024 Roberts said the politics at play go beyond party squabbles. —

Alison Cross, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2024

Verb

Toward the end of the debate portion of the event, before closing statements, the two presidential candidates squabbled over the ability of the other to play golf. —

James Powel, USA TODAY, 28 June 2024 After years of outrageous political firsts, opinions about Trump are largely baked in on both sides of the aisle, leaving pundits to squabble over relatively small potential movements of voters. —

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 1 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for squabble

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'squabble.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish dialect skvabbel dispute

First Known Use

Noun

1602, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1604, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of squabble was in 1602

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Squabble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squabble. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.

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Kids Definition

squabble

1 of 2 noun

squab·ble ˈskwäb-əl

: a noisy quarrel usually over unimportant things

squabble

2 of 2 verb

squabbled; squabbling ˈskwäb-(ə-)liŋ

: to quarrel noisily for little or no reason : wrangle

squabbler

-(ə-)lər

noun

Last Updated: 6 Jul 2024 - Updated example sentences

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squabble

noun

verb

Synonyms

Examples of squabble in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near squabble

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition