as in altercation
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
like any couple, they have their spats
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to bicker
to express different opinions about something often angrily
we tend to spat over money more than anything else
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 spat
Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 6 Feb. 2025
Kevin Owens interrupted the broadcast and had a spat with Matthew McConaughey, who was sitting in the crowd.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Liam Stack, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Aug. 2023
South Carolina was on the east bank and Georgia on the west; the temperature was in the fifties, and gray clouds spat water in our faces.
—Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 21 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for spat
Noun
The two did, however, go through a few rifts in 2023 including having a public spat at the BET Awards over Uzi giving JT’s seat to ASAP Bari.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 6 Feb. 2025
Kevin Owens interrupted the broadcast and had a spat with Matthew McConaughey, who was sitting in the crowd.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
The teenager first asked the hotel to forgive him, the lawsuit said, but soon flew into a rage, screaming that the hotel was antisemitic and that its employees spat in people’s food.
—Liam Stack, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Aug. 2023
South Carolina was on the east bank and Georgia on the west; the temperature was in the fifties, and gray clouds spat water in our faces.
—Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 21 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for spat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spat
Noun
-
His family has requested the body cam footage of the altercation, but has not been able to view it.—
Cody Copeland,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Meanwhile, the two shell casings that were recovered from the scene by Relli and turned in to police two days after the altercation had no fingerprints.—
Daniela Avila,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Without politics to bicker over or political visions to debate, the candidates mostly pitched themselves and their personal connections to the community.—
Jesse Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Meeting in Munich This combination of carping about America, bickering with each other, and grandstanding for the cameras has typified European responses to the Russian invasion of Feb. 24, 2022, and the three years of war that followed.—
Dominic Green,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The public quarrel between Trump and Zelenskyy began after Russia and the U.S. agreed Tuesday to start working toward ending the war in Ukraine and improving their diplomatic and economic ties.—
ILLIA NOVIKOV,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2025
-
The public quarrel between New Zealand and Cook Islands — which share a passport, a military and constitutional ties — was a victory for Beijing’s efforts to woo Pacific leaders and a blow to Western countries’ efforts to counter China’s sway, analysts said.—
Charlotte Graham-McLay,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The fact that he was denied once needs to be noted in any future application for practice in the Southern District, the motion argues, claiming that Buzbee only reapplied to practice in the district at the buzzer in this case, and has failed to do so for his other civil proceedings.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
-
In an interview with Sky Sport before Liverpool’s convincing win over Manchester City earlier this month, Salah—while respecting opposing marksman Erling Haaland’s talents—argued the number nine’s job is more straightforward than hitting the same heights from the wing (German).—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
According to one source, Heath has said that the interaction exemplifies the way acts of kindness have been weaponized against himself, Baldoni, and others in the dispute.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
21 Feb. 2025
-
The network brought a federal lawsuit and a judge quickly sided with CNN in the dispute on due process grounds, leading the White House to back down from the legal fight.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Formulated with zinc pyrithione (this is what actively fights flaky skin), squalane (boosts shine), and sugar kelp extract (prevents inflammation and bacteria growth), this is a total powerhouse haircare product.—
Gina Vaynshteyn,
StyleCaster,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Since its establishment in 1992, The Elton John AIDS Foundation has raised over $600 million to support more than 3,100 projects in 95 countries, working to increase healthcare access and fight LGBTQ+ stigma.—
Jeetendr Sehdev,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The message blip, which was replicated several times by The New York Times, provoked controversy after appearing in a viral TikTok post, raising questions about Apple’s artificial intelligence capabilities.—
Tripp Mickle,
New York Times,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Not without controversy AstroForge has already butted heads with the science community.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Cut to the two men brawling in the bowels of a derelict ship in the Miami port, where Spencer has imprisoned and ultimately attempts to drown his son to evade capture.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Members of the rock band Jane’s Addiction were brawling at their concert in Boston on Friday night.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
Fox News,
14 Sep. 2024
Articles Related to spat
Cite this Entry
“Spat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spat. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share