altercation

noun

al·​ter·​ca·​tion ˌȯl-tər-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce altercation (audio)
Synonyms of altercationnext
: a noisy, heated, angry dispute
He got into several altercations with his boss.
also : noisy controversy

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for altercation

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 altercation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The complaint says police reviewed security footage of the altercation, which correlated with the girlfriend's telling of the incident, That occurred about a month before Graves is alleged to have shot and killed Quincy Smith. —David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2024 Lucy and Future Quinn get into a physical altercation, which ultimately ends with the killer's death. —Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024 Jamie Busch allegedly strangled her sister in her home during an altercation between 4:50 p.m. and 11:59 on October 8. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024 At the time of this article’s publication, the identity of the photographer in the most recent altercation is unconfirmed. —Thania Garcia, Variety, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for altercation 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English altercacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French altercacion, borrowed from Latin altercātiōn-, altercātiō, from altercārī, altercāre "to dispute vehemently, wrangle" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at altercate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of altercation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near altercation

altercate

altercation

alter Christus

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Altercation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altercation. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Kids Definition

altercation

noun
al·​ter·​ca·​tion ˌȯl-tər-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce altercation (audio)
: a noisy or angry dispute

More from Merriam-Webster on altercation

Nglish: Translation of altercation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of altercation for Arabic Speakers

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