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

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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 Given these competing moves, altercations seem inevitable, experts say. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 20 May 2024 The fight, which involved some friends and associates of the defendant, triggered another altercation days later at a coffee shop, then the shooting of Pham, which occurred about a week after the pool hall fight. —City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for altercation 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'altercation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 28 May. 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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