quarrel

1 of 3

noun (1)

quar·​rel ˈkwȯr(-ə)l  ˈkwär(-ə)l 

: a square-headed bolt or arrow especially for a crossbow

quarrel

2 of 3

noun (2)

1

: a ground of dispute or complaint

have no quarrel with a different approach

2

: a usually verbal conflict between antagonists : altercation

quarrel

3 of 3

verb

quarreled or quarrelled; quarreling or quarrelling

intransitive verb

1

: to find fault

many people quarrel with the idea

—Johns Hopkins Magazine

2

: to contend or dispute actively

quarreled frequently with his superiors

—London Calling

quarreler noun

or quarreller

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

Choose the Right Synonym for quarrel

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 quarrel in a Sentence

Noun (2)

a loud quarrel erupted at the next table over

Verb

The children quarrel all the time.

She and her husband are always quarreling about money.

I don't want to quarrel with you.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The chain blamed its struggles on an unsustainable $20 all-you-can-eat shrimp promotion that wound up contributing to $11 million in losses, the toils of inflation, sluggish traffic, and quarrels with a former owner Thai Union. —Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2024

As their relationship reached a breaking point, Emma and Marcello quarrel in a car parked in the bleak outskirts of Rome. —Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 26 July 2024

Proponents of the curse theory pointed to centuries of death, injury, ruination, quarrels, and dreams dashed upon the rocks. —Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024

The campaign is already reigniting the political quarrels that have been relatively quiet over the past few months. —Giovanna De Maio, Foreign Affairs, 24 Sep. 2021

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

• no quarrel with
• pick a quarrel

Kids Definition

quarrel

1 of 2 noun

quar·​rel ˈkwȯr(-ə)l  ˈkwär(-ə)l 

1

: a cause of dispute or complaint

2

: an angry difference of opinion : dispute

quarrel

2 of 2 verb

quarreled or quarrelled; quarreling or quarrelling

1

: to find fault

I quarrel with your version of what happened

2

: to argue forcefully or loudly : squabble

quarreler noun

or quarreller