quarrel
1 of 3noun (1)
ˈkwär(-ə)l quarrel
2 of 3noun (2)
quarrel
3 of 3verb
intransitive verb
Johns Hopkins MagazineLondon Calling
Synonyms
Noun (2)
- altercation
- argle-bargle [chiefly British]
- argument
- argy-bargy [chiefly British]
- battle royal
- bicker
- brawl
- contretemps
- controversy
- cross fire
- disagreement
- dispute
- donnybrook
- falling-out
- fight
- hassle
- imbroglio
- kickup
- misunderstanding
- rhubarb
- row
- scrap
- set-to
- spat
- squabble
- tiff
- wrangle
Verb
- altercate
- argue
- argufy
- bicker
- brabble
- brawl
- controvert
- dispute
- fall out
- fight
- hassle
- jar
- quibble
- row
- scrap
- spat
- squabble
- tiff
- wrangle
Example Sentences
Word History
Noun (1)
Middle English, from Anglo-French, square block of stone, bolt, from Vulgar Latin *quadrellum, diminutive of Latin quadrum square — more at quadrate
Noun (2)
Middle English querele, from Anglo-French, from Latin querela grievance, complaint, from queri to complain
Noun (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing quarrel
Kids Definition
quarrel
1 of 2 noun ˈkwär(-ə)l quarrel
2 of 2 verbquarrel 1 of 2
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- dispute
- altercation
- disagreement
- bicker
- fight
- argument
- controversy
- squabble
- brawl
- misunderstanding
- disputation
- tiff
- spat
- skirmish
- row
- contretemps
- feud
- clash
- imbroglio
- debate
- wrangle
- falling-out
- set-to
- rhubarb
- cross fire
- donnybrook
- battle royal
- argle-bargle
- tussle
- argy-bargy
- tangle
- difference
- scrap
- objection
- logomachy
- contention
- protestation
- protest
- kickup
- vendetta
- dissension
- attack
- fisticuffs
- hassle
- catfight
- melee
- affray
- dissention
- fracas
- run-in
- mêlée
- fuss
- fray
- free-for-all
quarrel
2 of 2verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- bicker
- fight
- argue
- clash
- spat
- dispute
- squabble
- brawl
- tiff
- debate
- row
- controvert
- wrangle
- quibble
- scrap
- bandy words
- altercate
- lock horns
- jar
- fall out
- discuss
- butt heads
- hassle
- brabble
- cavil
- contest
- argufy
- tangle
- contend
- dare
- mix it up
- object
- protest
- challenge
- nitpick
- defy
- fuss
- kick
- consider
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- coexist
- concur
- accept
- agree
- get along
- consent
- assent
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of quarrel are altercation, squabble, and wrangle. While all these words mean "a noisy dispute usually marked by anger," quarrel implies heated verbal contention, stressing strained or severed relations which may persist beyond the contention.
The words altercation and quarrel can be used in similar contexts, but altercation implies fighting with words as the chief weapon, although it may also connote blows.
The synonyms squabble and quarrel are sometimes interchangeable, but squabble stresses childish and unseemly dispute over petty matters, but it need not imply bitterness or anger.
While the synonyms wrangle and quarrel are close in meaning, wrangle suggests undignified and often futile disputation with a noisy insistence on differing opinions.