squabble
verb (used without object)
to engage in a petty quarrel.
squabbled
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past participleof squabble.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof squabble.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
squabbleverb (used without object)to engage in a petty quarrel.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Parton’s in-laws and her own father squabbled over who bore the financial burden of supporting Parton and her daughters, for Handsome Charlie had left his household in debt.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 27, 2026
The boxers squabbled like petulant schoolchildren at a news conference in February, with Eubank holding court, taking aim at everyone in his eyeline, including Benn and Hearn.
From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2025
O'Donnell and Trump have squabbled publicly and repeatedly since her first stint as a co-host on ABC's "The View."
From Salon ● Mar. 12, 2025
Executives at Mistral, meanwhile, squabbled online with a researcher from an Elon Musk-backed nonprofit that aims to prevent “existential risk” from AI.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 3, 2023
Unfortunately, he died suddenly in 1916, at least partly exhausted by his quest and the search fell into abeyance while Lowell’s heirs squabbled over his estate.
From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson
