Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense quarrels, present participle quarrelling, past tense, past participle quarrelledregional note: in AM, use quarreling, quarreled
1. countable noun
A quarrel is an angry argument between two or more friends or family members.
I had a terrible quarrel with my other brothers. [+ with]
It could have happened during a quarrel between them over Naomi.
Synonyms: disagreement, fight, row, difference (of opinion) More Synonyms of quarrel
2. countable noun
Quarrels between countries or groups of people are disagreements, which may be diplomatic or include fighting.
[journalism]
Canning thought that Persia would probably not want to risk a quarrel with England. [+ with]
3. verb
When two or more people quarrel, they have an angry argument.
At one point we quarrelled, over something silly. [VERB]
My brother quarrelled with my father. [VERB + with]
Synonyms: disagree, fight, argue, row More Synonyms of quarrel
4. singular noun [with neg]
If you say that you have no quarrel with someone or something, you mean that you do not disagree with them.
We have no quarrel with the people of Spain or of any other country. [+ with]
She had no quarrel with much of what had been said at dinner.
5. verb
If you say that you would quarrelwith someone or with something that they have said, you mean that you disagree with them.
I would quarrel with you on that figure. [VERBwith noun]
While some of his peers might quarrel with the title, his credentials remain impressive. [VERBwith noun]
quarrel in British English1
(ˈkwɒrəl)
noun
1.
an angry disagreement; argument
2.
a cause of disagreement or dispute; grievance
verbWord forms: -rels, -relling, -relledWord forms: US-rels, -reling or -reled(intransitive; often foll bywith)
3.
to engage in a disagreement or dispute; argue
4.
to find fault; complain
Derived forms
quarreller (ˈquarreller) or US quarreler (ˈquarreler)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Old French querele, from Latin querēlla complaint, from querī to complain
quarrel in British English2
(ˈkwɒrəl)
noun
1.
an arrow having a four-edged head, fired from a crossbow
2.
a small square or diamond-shaped pane of glass, usually one of many in a fixed or casement window and framed with lead
Word origin
C13: from Old French quarrel pane, from Medieval Latin quadrellus, diminutive of Latin quadrus square
quarrel in American English1
(ˈkwɔrəl; ˈkwɑrəl)
noun
1.
a cause for dispute
2.
a dispute or disagreement, esp. one marked by anger and deep resentment
3.
a falling out; breaking up of friendly relations
verb intransitiveWord forms: ˈquarreled or ˈquarrelled, ˈquarreling or ˈquarrelling
4.
to find fault; complain
5.
to dispute heatedly
6.
to have a breach in friendship
SYNONYMY NOTE: quarrel2 implies heated verbal strife marked by anger and resentment and often suggests continuedhostility as a result; , wrangle1 suggests a noisy dispute in which each person is vehemently insistent on his views;, altercation implies verbal contention which may or may not be accompanied by blows; , squabble implies undignified, childish wrangling over a small matter; , spat1 is the colloquial term for a petty quarrel and suggests a brief outburst that doesnot have a significant effect on a relationship
OPPOSITES: agreement, harmony
Derived forms
quarreler (ˈquarreler)
noun or ˈquarreller
Word origin
ME quarel < OFr querele < L querela, complaint < queri, to complain, lament < IE base *wes-, to pant, snort > wheeze
quarrel in American English2
(ˈkwɔrəl; ˈkwɑrəl)
noun
1.
a bolt or arrow with a quadrangular head, shot from a crossbow
2.
a small, diamond-shaped or square pane of glass, as in a latticed window
Word origin
ME quarel < OFr < ML querellus < VL *quadrellum, dim. of L quadrus, a square
Examples of 'quarrel' in a sentence
quarrel
So the giants were left behind with no goods to share or quarrel about.
The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales (1812)
The sun is now in place to heal family quarrels and resolve a cash situation.
The Sun (2007)
You can heal quarrels and make the family feel like a team again.
The Sun (2011)
You can make the first move to end a quarrel between two people.
The Sun (2010)
Lovers quarrel when one party in the relationship has committed an act of betrayal.
Christianity Today (2000)
Do not let us quarrel about the past.
Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice (1813)
The sun adds warmth to family relationships and quarrels are healed.
The Sun (2011)
Civilisation kicked off a public quarrel about aesthetics that rages to this day.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The moon soothes family relationships and quarrels are forgotten.
The Sun (2009)
The letter underlined the family quarrel within the party leadership.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Friendship is the key to success so don't let old quarrels jinx a new opportunity.
The Sun (2010)
Despite the quarrels between their old countries, people rubbed along well enough.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
On a sweltering sugar plantation, two brothers quarrel.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In the end, one could scarcely quarrel with the substitution.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
A family leave old quarrels behind and get lucky together.
The Sun (2006)
The sun helps you pass on special knowledge, share family and work responsibility fairly and heal old quarrels.
The Sun (2010)
Quotations
It takes in reality only one to make a quarrel. It is useless for the sheep to pass resolutions in favour of vegetarianism, while the wolf remains of a different opinionWilliam Ralph IngeOutspoken Essays
Love-quarrels oft in pleasing concord endJohn MiltonSamson Agonistes
In other languages
quarrel
British English: quarrel /ˈkwɒrəl/ NOUN
A quarrel is an angry argument between two or more friends or family members.
I had a terrible quarrel with my other brothers.
American English: quarrel
Arabic: شِجَار
Brazilian Portuguese: disputa
Chinese: 吵架
Croatian: svađa
Czech: hádka
Danish: skænderi
Dutch: ruzie
European Spanish: riña
Finnish: riita
French: querelle
German: Streit
Greek: καβγάς
Italian: lite
Japanese: 口論
Korean: 말다툼
Norwegian: krangel
Polish: kłótnia
European Portuguese: disputa
Romanian: dezbatere
Russian: ссора
Latin American Spanish: riña
Swedish: gräl
Thai: การทะเลาะวิวาท
Turkish: kavga
Ukrainian: сварка
Vietnamese: sự tranh cãi
British English: quarrel /ˈkwɒrəl/ VERB
When two or more people quarrel, they have an angry argument.
At one point we quarrelled, over something silly.
American English: quarrel
Arabic: يَتَشَاجَرْ مَعْ
Brazilian Portuguese: disputar
Chinese: 吵架
Croatian: svađati se
Czech: hádat se
Danish: skændes
Dutch: ruziën
European Spanish: reñir
Finnish: riidellä
French: se quereller
German: streiten
Greek: καβγαδίζω
Italian: litigare
Japanese: 口論する
Korean: 다투다
Norwegian: krangle
Polish: pokłócić się
European Portuguese: disputar
Romanian: a dezbate
Russian: ссориться
Latin American Spanish: reñir
Swedish: gräla
Thai: ทะเลาะ
Turkish: kavga etmek
Ukrainian: сваритися
Vietnamese: tranh cãi
Chinese translation of 'quarrel'
quarrel
(ˈkwɔrəl)
n(c)
吵架 (chǎojià) (场(場), chǎng)
vi
争(爭)吵 (zhēngchǎo)
to have a quarrel with sb跟某人争(爭)吵 (gēn mǒurén zhēngchǎo)
I can't quarrel with that我对(對)此无(無)可争(爭)辩(辯) (wǒ duì cǐ wú kě zhēngbiàn)
(noun)
Definition
an angry disagreement
I had a terrible quarrel with my other brothers.
Synonyms
disagreement
My instructor and I had a brief disagreement.
fight
He got a bloody nose in a fight.
row
The meeting descended into an unpleasant row.
difference (of opinion)
argument
She got into a heated argument with a stranger.
dispute
The dispute between them is settled.
controversy
The proposed cuts have caused considerable controversy.
breach
scrap (informal)
He has never been one to avoid a scrap.
disturbance
During the disturbance, three men were hurt.
misunderstanding
a misunderstanding between friends
contention
They generally tried to avoid subjects of contention between them.
feud
a long and bitter feud between families
fray
Today he entered the fray on the side of the moderates.
brawl
He had been in a street brawl.
spat
a spat over interest rates and currencies
squabble
There have been minor squabbles about phone bills.
strife
The boardroom strife at the company is far from over.
wrangle
He was involved in a legal wrangle with the Health Secretary.
skirmish
This difference has led to several political skirmishes.
vendetta
discord
He foments discord among the allies.
fracas
Several people were injured in the ensuing fracas.
commotion
tiff
She was walking home after a tiff with her best friend.
altercation
I had an altercation with some people who objected to our filming.
broil
tumult
dissension
a great deal of dissension within the armed forces
affray
He caused an affray at a pub.
turf war (informal)
shindig (informal)
disputation
dissidence
shindy (informal)
bagarre (French)
biffo (Australian, slang)
Opposites
accord
,
agreement
,
concord
(verb)
Definition
to engage in a disagreement or dispute
My brother quarrelled with my father.
Synonyms
disagree
The two men disagreed about what to do next.
fight
The children were always arguing and fighting with each other.
argue
They were still arguing. I could hear them down the road.
row
They rowed all the time.
clash
A group of 400 demonstrators clashed with police.
dispute
Whole towns disputed with neighboring villages over boundaries.
scrap (informal)
They are always scrapping.
differ
The two leaders have differed on the issue of sanctions.
fall out (informal)
She fell out with her friend.
brawl
They brawled in the street.
squabble
The siblings squabble like they did when they were children.
spar
The sparring couple have declared a truce in public.
wrangle
The two parties are still wrangling over the timing of the election.
bicker
The two children bickered constantly.
be at odds
lock horns
cross swords
The last time they crossed swords was at the Olympics.
fight like cat and dog
go at it hammer and tongs
altercate
Opposites
agree
,
get on or along (with)
phrasal verb
See quarrel with someone or something
Quotations
It takes in reality only one to make a quarrel. It is useless for the sheep to pass resolutions in favour of vegetarianism, while the wolf remains of a different opinion [William Ralph Inge – Outspoken Essays]Love-quarrels oft in pleasing concord end [John Milton – Samson Agonistes]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of affray
Definition
a noisy fight in a public place
He caused an affray at a pub.
Synonyms
fight,
mêlée,
contest,
set-to (informal),
encounter,
outbreak of violence,
scrap,
disturbance,
feud,
quarrel,
brawl,
skirmish,
scuffle,
free-for-all (informal),
fracas,
dogfight,
tumult,
shindig (informal),
scrimmage,
shindy (informal),
biffo (Australian, slang),
bagarre
in the sense of altercation
Definition
a noisy argument
I had an altercation with some people who objected to our filming.
Synonyms
argument,
row,
clash,
disagreement,
dispute,
controversy,
contention,
quarrel,
squabble,
wrangle,
bickering,
discord,
dissension
in the sense of argue
Definition
to quarrel
They were still arguing. I could hear them down the road.
Synonyms
quarrel,
fight,
row,
clash,
dispute,
disagree,
feud,
squabble,
spar,
wrangle,
bicker,
have an argument,
cross swords,
be at sixes and sevens,
fight like cat and dog,
go at it hammer and tongs,
bandy words,
altercate,
fall out (informal)
Synonyms of 'quarrel'
quarrel
Explore 'quarrel' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of argument
Definition
a quarrel
She got into a heated argument with a stranger.
Synonyms
quarrel,
fight,
row,
clash,
dispute,
controversy,
disagreement,
misunderstanding,
feud,
barney (informal),
squabble,
wrangle,
bickering,
difference of opinion,
tiff,
altercation,
falling out (informal)
in the sense of bicker
Definition
to argue over petty matters
The two children bickered constantly.
Synonyms
quarrel,
fight,
argue,
row (informal),
clash,
dispute,
scrap (informal),
disagree,
fall out (informal),
squabble,
spar,
wrangle,
cross swords,
fight like cat and dog,
go at it hammer and tongs,
altercate
in the sense of brawl
Definition
a loud disagreement or fight
He had been in a street brawl.
Synonyms
fight,
battle,
row (informal),
clash,
disorder,
scrap (informal),
fray,
squabble,
wrangle,
skirmish,
scuffle,
punch-up (British, informal),
free-for-all (informal),
fracas,
altercation,
rumpus,
broil,
tumult,
affray,
shindig (informal),
donnybrook,
ruckus (informal),
scrimmage,
shindy (informal),
biffo (Australian, slang),
bagarre,
melee or mêlée
in the sense of brawl
Definition
to quarrel or fight noisily
They brawled in the street.
Synonyms
fight,
battle,
scrap (informal),
wrestle,
wrangle,
tussle,
scuffle,
go at it hammer and tongs,
fight like Kilkenny cats,
altercate
in the sense of clash
Definition
to come into conflict
A group of 400 demonstrators clashed with police.
Synonyms
conflict,
grapple,
wrangle,
lock horns,
cross swords,
war,
feud,
quarrel
in the sense of contention
Definition
disagreement or dispute
They generally tried to avoid subjects of contention between them.
Synonyms
dispute,
hostility,
disagreement,
feuding,
strife,
wrangling,
discord,
enmity,
dissension
in the sense of controversy
Definition
argument or debate concerning a matter about which there is strong disagreement
The proposed cuts have caused considerable controversy.
Synonyms
argument,
debate,
row,
discussion,
dispute,
contention,
quarrel,
squabble,
strife,
wrangle,
wrangling,
polemic,
altercation,
dissension
in the sense of cross swords
The last time they crossed swords was at the Olympics.
Synonyms
fight,
argue,
dispute,
disagree,
spar,
wrangle,
be at loggerheads,
come to blows,
have a dispute,
engage in conflict
in the sense of differ
Definition
to disagree
The two leaders have differed on the issue of sanctions.
Synonyms
disagree,
argue,
clash,
dispute,
dissent,
quarrel,
squabble,
quibble,
fail to agree,
debate,
oppose,
contend,
take issue,
demur,
take exception
in the sense of discord
Definition
lack of agreement or harmony between people
He foments discord among the allies.
Synonyms
disagreement,
division,
conflict,
difference,
opposition,
row,
clashing,
dispute,
contention,
friction,
strife,
wrangling,
variance,
disunity,
dissension,
incompatibility,
discordance,
lack of concord
Additional synonyms
in the sense of dispute
Definition
an argument between two or more people
The dispute between them is settled.
Synonyms
argument,
row,
clash,
controversy,
disturbance,
contention,
feud,
quarrel,
brawl,
squabble,
wrangle,
difference of opinion,
tiff,
dissension,
turf war (informal),
shindig (informal),
shindy (informal),
bagarre
in the sense of dispute
Whole towns disputed with neighboring villages over boundaries.
Synonyms
argue,
fight,
clash,
row,
disagree,
fall out (informal),
contend,
feud,
quarrel,
brawl,
squabble,
spar,
wrangle,
bicker,
have an argument,
cross swords,
be at sixes and sevens,
fight like cat and dog,
go at it hammer and tongs,
altercate
in the sense of dissension
Definition
disagreement and argument
a great deal of dissension within the armed forces
Synonyms
disagreement,
conflict,
dissent,
dispute,
contention,
quarreling,
friction,
strife,
discord,
discordance,
conflict of opinion
in the sense of disturbance
Definition
an unruly outburst in public
During the disturbance, three men were hurt.
Synonyms
disorder,
bother (informal),
turmoil,
riot,
upheaval,
fray,
brawl,
uproar,
agitation,
fracas,
commotion,
rumpus,
tumult,
hubbub,
shindig (informal),
ruction (informal),
ruckus (informal),
shindy (informal)
in the sense of fall out
Definition
to disagree and quarrel
She fell out with her friend.
Synonyms
argue,
fight,
row,
clash,
differ,
disagree,
quarrel,
squabble,
have a row,
have words,
come to blows,
cross swords,
altercate
in the sense of feud
Definition
long and bitter hostility between two families, clans, or individuals
a long and bitter feud between families
Synonyms
hostility,
row,
conflict,
argument,
faction,
falling out,
disagreement,
rivalry,
contention,
quarrel,
grudge,
strife,
bickering,
vendetta,
discord,
enmity,
broil,
bad blood,
estrangement,
dissension
in the sense of fight
Definition
a boxing match
He got a bloody nose in a fight.
Synonyms
brawl,
set-to (informal),
riot,
scrap (informal),
confrontation,
rumble (US, New Zealand, slang),
fray,
duel,
skirmish,
head-to-head,
tussle,
scuffle,
free-for-all (informal),
fracas,
altercation,
dogfight,
joust,
dissension,
affray,
shindig (informal),
scrimmage,
sparring match,
exchange of blows,
shindy (informal),
melee or mêlée,
biffo (Australian, slang),
boilover (Australian)
in the sense of fight
The children were always arguing and fighting with each other.
Synonyms
quarrel,
argue,
row,
dispute,
fall out (informal),
squabble,
wrangle,
bicker
in the sense of fracas
Definition
a noisy quarrel or fight
Several people were injured in the ensuing fracas.
Synonyms
brawl,
fight,
trouble,
row,
riot,
disturbance,
quarrel,
uproar,
skirmish,
scuffle,
free-for-all (informal),
rumpus,
aggro (slang),
affray,
shindig (informal),
donnybrook,
scrimmage,
shindy (informal),
bagarre,
melee or mêlée,
biffo (Australian, slang)
in the sense of fray
Definition
a noisy quarrel or brawl
Today he entered the fray on the side of the moderates.
Synonyms
fight,
battle,
row,
conflict,
clash,
set-to (informal),
riot,
combat,
disturbance,
rumble (US, New Zealand, slang),
quarrel,
brawl,
skirmish,
scuffle,
rumpus,
broil,
affray,
shindig (informal),
donnybrook,
battle royal,
ruckus (informal),
scrimmage,
shindy (informal),
bagarre,
melee or mêlée,
biffo (Australian, slang),
boilover (Australian)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of misunderstanding
Definition
a disagreement
a misunderstanding between friends
Synonyms
disagreement,
difference,
conflict,
argument,
difficulty,
breach,
falling-out (informal),
quarrel,
rift,
squabble,
rupture,
variance,
discord,
dissension
in the sense of row
Definition
a controversy or dispute
The meeting descended into an unpleasant row.
Synonyms
quarrel,
dispute,
argument,
squabble,
tiff,
trouble,
controversy,
scrap (informal),
fuss,
falling-out (informal),
fray,
brawl,
fracas,
altercation,
slanging match (British),
shouting match (informal),
turf war (informal),
shindig (informal),
ruction (informal),
ruckus (informal),
shindy (informal),
bagarre
in the sense of row
Definition
to quarrel noisily
They rowed all the time.
Synonyms
quarrel,
fight,
argue,
dispute,
scrap (informal),
brawl,
squabble,
spar,
wrangle,
go at it hammer and tongs
in the sense of scrap
Definition
a fight or quarrel
He has never been one to avoid a scrap.
Synonyms
fight,
battle,
row,
argument,
dispute,
set-to (informal),
disagreement,
quarrel,
brawl,
squabble,
wrangle,
scuffle,
tiff,
turf war (informal),
dust-up (informal),
shindig (informal),
scrimmage,
shindy (informal),
bagarre,
biffo (Australian, slang)
in the sense of scrap
Definition
to quarrel or fight
They are always scrapping.
Synonyms
fight,
argue,
row,
fall out (informal),
barney (informal),
squabble,
spar,
wrangle,
bicker,
have words,
come to blows,
have a shouting match (informal)
in the sense of skirmish
Definition
a brief or minor fight or argument
This difference has led to several political skirmishes.
Synonyms
argument,
fight,
row,
clash,
dispute,
falling out (informal),
disagreement,
feud,
quarrel,
barney (informal),
squabble,
wrangle,
bickering,
difference of opinion,
altercation,
turf war (informal)
in the sense of spar
Definition
to argue with someone
The sparring couple have declared a truce in public.
Synonyms
argue,
row,
squabble,
dispute,
scrap (informal),
fall out (informal),
spat,
wrangle,
skirmish,
bicker,
have a tiff
in the sense of spat
Definition
a slight quarrel
a spat over interest rates and currencies
Synonyms
quarrel,
dispute,
squabble,
controversy,
contention,
bickering,
tiff,
altercation,
turf war (informal)
in the sense of squabble
Definition
a petty quarrel
There have been minor squabbles about phone bills.
Synonyms
quarrel,
fight,
row,
argument,
dispute,
set-to (informal),
scrap (informal),
disagreement,
barney (informal),
spat,
difference of opinion,
tiff,
turf war (informal),
bagarre
in the sense of squabble
Definition
to quarrel over a small matter
The siblings squabble like they did when they were children.
Synonyms
quarrel,
fight,
argue,
row,
clash,
dispute,
scrap (informal),
fall out (informal),
brawl,
spar,
wrangle,
bicker,
have words,
fight like cat and dog,
go at it hammer and tongs
Additional synonyms
in the sense of strife
Definition
angry or violent struggle
The boardroom strife at the company is far from over.
Synonyms
conflict,
battle,
struggle,
row,
clash,
clashes,
contest,
controversy,
combat,
warfare,
rivalry,
contention,
quarrel,
friction,
squabbling,
wrangling,
bickering,
animosity,
discord,
dissension
in the sense of tiff
Definition
a minor quarrel
She was walking home after a tiff with her best friend.
Synonyms
quarrel,
row,
disagreement,
words,
difference,
dispute,
scrap (informal),
falling-out (informal),
squabble,
petty quarrel
in the sense of tumult
Definition
a state of confusion and excitement
Synonyms
commotion,
riot,
quarrel,
brawl,
ado,
altercation,
affray,
brouhaha,
ruction (informal),
stramash (Scottish)
in the sense of wrangle
Definition
a noisy or angry argument
He was involved in a legal wrangle with the Health Secretary.
Synonyms
argument,
row,
clash,
dispute,
contest,
set-to (informal),
controversy,
falling-out (informal),
quarrel,
brawl,
barney (informal),
squabble,
bickering,
tiff,
altercation,
slanging match (British),
turf war (informal),
angry exchange,
argy-bargy (British, informal),
bagarre
in the sense of wrangle
Definition
to argue noisily or angrily
The two parties are still wrangling over the timing of the election.