squabble

1 of 2

noun

squab·​ble ˈskwä-bəl How to pronounce squabble (audio)
: a noisy altercation or quarrel usually over petty matters

squabble

2 of 2

verb

squabbled; squabbling ˈskwä-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce squabble (audio)

intransitive verb

: to quarrel noisily and usually over petty matters
squabbler 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
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.
Noun
However, as became evident about 30 minutes into the debate, that hot topic led to the one squabble of the night between 40-year-old Vance and CBS’ O’Donnell and Brennan, as the candidates’ microphones had been silenced. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2024 Following the release of the COVID-19 vaccine, family squabbles were increasingly common as parents wouldn’t let others come and visit their babies without being fully vaccinated. Sara Belcher, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024
Verb
Harlin squabbled a lot, including with the producer David Nichols, who quit, as did the art director, Wolf Kroeger. Alex Ritman, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024 As Shannon leaves, Vicki and Tamra are squabbling like two parents with conflicting ideas of what their kid needs. Tom Smyth, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for squabble 

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

Dictionary Entries Near squabble

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

squabble

1 of 2 noun
squab·​ble ˈskwäb-əl How to pronounce squabble (audio)
: a noisy quarrel usually over unimportant things

squabble

2 of 2 verb
squabbled; squabbling ˈskwäb-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce squabble (audio)
: to quarrel noisily for little or no reason : wrangle
squabbler noun

More from Merriam-Webster on squabble

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