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squabble

squabble

27 4.2
A noisy argument about something unimportant
  • noun
  • /ˈskwɑbəl/
  • Informal
translation icon : riña
  • Their constant squabble about who should wash the dishes is quite annoying.
  • petty squabbles
  • bureaucratic squabbles
  • family squabbles

Don't get involved in politics or squabbles or worries about things.

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Examples

  • And when you have a family squabble, you don't get out on the sidewalk.

    Blog text (2)
  • My mission here is not to solve your petty squabbles.

  • You boys having a little squabble in there, huh?

  • Sometimes we have a squabble or two, but I suppose it's a lot like having a large family.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • All this for a family squabble.

  • This is not a domestic squabble!

  • Me and the wife are just having a little squabble.

  • It was a family squabble and you know what?

  • I GET THE FEELING I'VE WALKED INTO THE MIDDLE OF A FAMILY SQUABBLE.

  • The children engaged in a noisy squabble over whose turn it was to play.

Synonyms

fuss
vssquabble
145 1.5

A lot of worry or complaint about something small

is a quarrel or noisy dispute rather than mere needless worry
beef
vssquabble
  • Slang
138 8.0

A complaint or argument between people

is usually a short petty quarrel about trivial matters, not lasting complaint
bickering
vssquabble
42 3.9

Repeated small arguments about unimportant things that annoy people

is usually a single noisy or petty dispute not repeated
spat
vssquabble
24 3.7

A short, unimportant argument between people

is often longer or louder rather than just brief
tiff
vssquabble
  • Informal
15 5.6

A small argument between friends or partners that ends quickly

is often public or noisy rather than small and private
kerfuffle
vssquabble
  • Informal
8 8.8

A small noisy fuss when people disagree

is specifically an argumentative exchange rather than general fuss
shouting match
vssquabble
  • Informal
7 3.8

A noisy argument in which people try to shout louder than each other

is usually less intense and more about trivial issues
dustup
vssquabble
  • Informal
5 7.2

A short angry argument between people that is not very serious

is more about trivial or small matters rather than anger
arguing
vssquabble
2 2.4

A time when people strongly disagree and speak loudly

is narrower, focusing on petty or trivial disagreements rather than serious ones
petty argument
vssquabble
1 3.0

A small disagreement about something unimportant

is often noisy rather than only about unimportant matters
barney
vssquabble
  • Slang
1 8.6

A noisy argument between people, often in public

is the general term for noisy or petty quarrels without regional tag
words
vssquabble
  • Informal
1 6.2

A short angry argument between people

is often petty and about trivial matters rather than serious
argle-bargle
vssquabble
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Loud, silly talk that has no useful meaning

is an actual petty dispute about small matters, not just chatter
fuffle
vssquabble
  • Informal
9.9

A small noisy fuss about something unimportant

is used for an actual noisy or petty argument, not just fuss
shitting match
vssquabble
  • Offensive
9.9

A very angry, petty argument with personal insults

is generally less hostile and more about trivial or petty matters

Antonyms

1.0

A calm, friendly relationship between people or groups without argument

361 1.0

A situation in which people have the same opinion or give their approval

146 2.5

Agreement and peaceful working together between people or ideas

How Serious

brawl
60 4.6
row
  • UK
74 6.0
quarrel
61 2.0
argument
617 2.3
squabble
  • Informal
27 4.2
spat
24 3.7
to tiff
  • Informal
6.8

Surface Forms

squabble singular
squabbles plural

Etymology

Squabble as a noun also has uncertain origins, and you can picture the quick noisy sound 'squawk' to remember it. So a squabble is a short, noisy argument about something unimportant.