altercation

noun

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

Synonyms of altercation

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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.
After marching from Crocker Park in downtown Sacramento, the protest groups engaged in verbal and physical altercations across a barricade formed by law enforcement officers. — Hannah Ruhoff, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026 Many of his findings on the case came from case evidence, such as medical reports and footage of the altercation, shared with him. — Sofi Zeman august 26, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026 Freedom has been in the news after he was kicked out of Wintrust Arena on Sunday night after an altercation with Sky player Natasha Cloud during the Indiana Fever-Chicago Sky game. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Three days after the initial story, a person close to Fields authorized to speak for Fields and his family clarified the player’s view of the lead-up to the altercation. — Jim Barnes august 26, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for altercation

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Browse Nearby Words

altercate
altercation
alter Christus
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Cite this Entry

“Altercation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altercation. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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