spat 1 of 2

noun

Definition of spatnext
as in altercation
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions like any couple, they have their spats

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spat

2 of 2

verb

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
Noun
Then, the dispute spiraled into an online spat this week between Driver and Potter, the CTU vice president. — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 The controversy might also reignite some animosity between Musk and Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski, who were involved in a spat on X/Twitter last year over concerns that SpaceX could cut off Starlink access in Ukraine. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
The flare comes after nearly a week of flares and coronal plasma ejections spat toward the planet that threatened disruptions to power and communications systems on Earth. — Greg Wehner, Fox News, 15 May 2024 Israeli media reported that coalition lawmaker Simcha Rothman had joined a Sukkot march during which ultra-Orthodox Jews spat at churches. — Julia Frankel The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2023 See All Example Sentences for spat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spat
  1. altercation
  2. bicker
  3. dispute
  4. argue
  5. quarrel
  6. fight
  7. controversy
  8. brawl
Noun
  • The Honda continues down the street and crashes into a parked car, as Good’s wife, Becca Good, who was recording the altercation, runs after it.
    — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Detectives found that Spencer was involved in an altercation with a man inside the library before the stabbing.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of altercation
Verb
  • Kimmel and Damon then bicker over who has a rightful paternal claim to the child, culminating in a pitch-perfect spoof of Maury featuring Short as Povich.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Aug. 2026
  • There’s striker Josie Gordon, bickering twin sisters Siobhan and Niamh, glove-shunning goalie Katie ‘Boots’ Quinn and couple Maddie and Margy.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of bicker
Noun
  • The planned center for arbitrating investment and commercial disputes, for example, will sit within the Syrian Investment Authority, which is itself attached to the presidency.
    — Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Adair died in jail following a dispute with deputies, including Fatherley, who knelt on his back.
    — Sofi Zeman August 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of dispute
Verb
  • Some officials argue that would let Iceland keep control of its waters, since no EU country has fished there for decades.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
  • While that figure was low, the researchers argued that even a small risk of unintended weapons use could be unacceptable in sensitive maritime confrontations.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of argue
Noun
  • Based on a Joseph Conrad story, the period drama follows two officers in Napoleon’s army (Keith Carradine and Harvey Keitel) whose minor quarrel condemns them to 15 years of repeatedly trying to kill each other.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • As the quarrel escalated, the man stabbed her multiple times all over her body in the park near Eastern Parkway and Rochester Ave.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of quarrel
Verb
  • Without a clear message from Warsh, investors began to doubt the Fed’s inflation-fighting resolve.
    — Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Federal safety investigators urged automakers to give emergency responders better guides on how to fight lithium-ion battery fires.
    — Todd C. Frankel, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of fight
Noun
  • Although the allegations became a significant controversy surrounding his political career, higher courts later invalidated key evidence in the investigation, and the criminal complaint against him was rejected in 2022.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The vote came without debate on the Assembly floor, despite previous controversy over the changes as the bill moved through the Senate.
    — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of controversy
Verb
  • Well, maybe everyone except for the fans escorted out of the right-field bleachers after brawling, another clip that went viral on social media.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Massive fights erupted at the Wisconsin State Fair during its chaotic closing hours Sunday, with viral video showing people in crowds throwing punches and brawling as police moved in to break up the mayhem.
    — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of brawl

Browse Nearby Words

spastic paralysis
spat
spate
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Cite this Entry

“Spat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spat. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spat

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spat

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