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altercation

altercation

52 6.8
A noisy argument between people often in public
  • noun
  • /ˌɔːltərˈkeɪʃən/
translation icon : altercado
  • The two neighbors had a loud altercation in the street, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.
  • a physical altercation
  • a verbal altercation
  • a violent altercation

What advice would you give people in the full spectrum of what a street altercation might entail?

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Examples

  • Unfortunately, after several drinks, there ensued a physical altercation between them.

    Academic text (1996)
  • So, tell me, how many were involved in the altercation?

  • But I do think that they had an altercation over the dinner.

  • Never have I ever gotten in a physical altercation with someone.

  • There was a small altercation around whether the car was indeed insured.

  • We heard you had an altercation down at the Tom Thumb Theater.

  • Sue looks on, not wanting to take part in this family altercation.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • An officer responded and determined it was a "verbal altercation," not a criminal offense.

    Blog text (4)
  • Jewish man dies after altercation at dueling protests in California.

  • But you kind of went through a lot of altercations and adversities at that time.

Synonyms

fight
vsaltercation
675 2.4

A strong argument between people or groups, often public

is mainly about noisy or heated public arguments rather than physical clashes
argument
vsaltercation
617 2.3

A disagreement between people that is often angry

is the broader noisy or heated public dispute term rather than formal conflict
conflict
vsaltercation
397 2.3

A serious disagreement between people or groups over ideas

is focused on noisy or heated public arguments, not on broad systemic disagreements
dispute
vsaltercation
384 3.0

A serious argument about something important that lasts a long time

is used for noisy or heated public arguments even when less formal
confrontation
vsaltercation
294 4.5

A situation when people or groups meet in direct conflict, often angrily

is focused on noisy or heated public disputes, not only direct hostile challenges
row
vsaltercation
  • UK
74 6.0

A noisy argument between people

is the broader noisy or heated public disagreement term
quarrel
vsaltercation
61 2.0

An angry argument between people who are usually friendly

is the broader noisy or heated public argument term, not limited to private relations
fray
vsaltercation
50 6.5

A noisy fight involving several people

is mainly about noisy public disagreement rather than physical fighting
bickering
vsaltercation
42 3.9

Repeated small arguments about unimportant things that annoy people

is broader, covering one noisy or heated public clash rather than ongoing petty fights
run-in
vsaltercation
  • Informal
41 5.2

An angry argument with someone

is mainly a noisy or heated public disagreement rather than a private quarrel
contention
vsaltercation
34 6.5

A strong disagreement between people or groups

is used for noisy public disputes generally, not only formal contested claims
squabble
vsaltercation
  • Informal
27 4.2

A noisy argument about something unimportant

is the general noisy or heated public dispute term, not necessarily petty
spat
vsaltercation
24 3.7

A short, unimportant argument between people

is the general noisy or heated public dispute term not only short petty quarrels
wrangling
vsaltercation
16 6.7

A long heated argument about a specific issue

is mainly any noisy public argument, not only long disputes over one issue
war of words
vsaltercation
15 6.2

A long angry argument in public between opposing groups

is usually a single noisy public argument rather than prolonged bitterness
brouhaha
vsaltercation
  • Informal
14 8.8

A noisy fuss about something not very important

is used for noisy or heated public disputes even when they are more serious
heated debate
vsaltercation
12 3.5

An argument with strong feelings and different opinions

is usually about noisy public disagreement rather than formal debate
kerfuffle
vsaltercation
  • Informal
8 8.8

A small noisy fuss when people disagree

is used for noisy or heated public disputes even when they are more serious
shouting match
vsaltercation
  • Informal
7 3.8

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

is the general noisy public dispute term not only about shouting
heated argument
vsaltercation
7 3.5

A strong angry disagreement between people with loud voices

is broader, covering noisy or heated disputes of any intensity
dustup
vsaltercation
  • Informal
5 7.2

A short angry argument between people that is not very serious

is the general noisy or heated public dispute term not limited to short clashes
heated discussion
vsaltercation
5 3.7

An argument where people speak loudly and with strong feelings

is usually public and noisy rather than a formal debate
sparring
vsaltercation
4 5.8

A short angry argument where people try to gain an advantage

is about noisy or heated public arguments without the tactical competition
donnybrook
vsaltercation
2 9.1

A noisy public fight or argument that causes trouble

is broader, applying to noisy or heated arguments without chaos
wrangle
vsaltercation
2 7.4

A noisy argument that lasts a long time

is usually a single noisy public argument rather than a prolonged dispute
arguing
vsaltercation
2 2.4

A time when people strongly disagree and speak loudly

is the general noisy or heated public dispute concept rather than formal conflict
fracas
vsaltercation
1 8.4

A noisy fight between several people, often in public places

is mainly verbal and noisy rather than physical and rough
barney
vsaltercation
  • Slang
1 8.6

A noisy argument between people, often in public

is the neutral general term for noisy or heated public disagreements
ruction
vsaltercation
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A noisy argument or fight that makes a place loud and confused

is focused on heated public arguments rather than general commotion
argy-bargy
vsaltercation
  • Slang
1 9.9

A noisy argument between people about a small issue

is the general noisy public dispute term without the playful tone
words
vsaltercation
  • Informal
1 6.2

A short angry argument between people

is broader, covering noisy or heated public disagreements not only verbal fights
acrimonious argument
vsaltercation
7.8

A bitter, angry argument that causes hard feelings

is broader, covering noisy or heated public fights not limited to bitterness
shitting match
vsaltercation
  • Offensive
9.9

A very angry, petty argument with personal insults

is the general noisy public dispute term without the crude personal attack tone

Antonyms

361 1.0

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

Compounds

A physical fight involving one or more police officers

How Heated

altercation
52 6.8
quarrel
61 2.0
argument
617 2.3
dispute
384 3.0
discussion
1.4

Surface Forms

altercation singular
altercations plural

Etymology

Altercation comes from the Latin root alter meaning 'other' and from old words that meant 'to argue with another', so you can picture two 'others' facing off. So an altercation is literally a clash between people — a noisy or heated argument.