altercation
Americannoun
-
altercations
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of altercation
1350–1400; Middle English altercacioun < Latin altercātiōn- (stem of altercātiō ). See altercate, -ion
Explanation
Altercation is a nicer word for "quarrel," which is a nicer word for "fight." Fight is a simple, effective one-syllable word, while quarrel is a softer, two-syllable word, and altercation is a very civilized-sounding four-syllable word for the same uncivilized thing: a noisy argument between angry people. Someone who gets a black eye fighting for a parking spot might — after cooling down — describe the incident as an altercation rather than as a knock-down, drag-out brawl.
Vocabulary lists containing altercation
To Kill a Mockingbird
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Grade 9, List 3
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1984
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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.
See Examples For:
Irvine police said it had responded to an altercation at the intersection of Michelson Drive and Carlson Avenue, the general area where the 13 Teslas had been vandalized.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026
On Dec. 7, 2023, Howard was involved in another incident: a verbal altercation with another coach, the law firm noted.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
Organisers said an altercation developed after complaints by two councillors about a poster of the Reform leader.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Police say the brothers insulted a woman during an altercation over loud noise.
From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026
I can feel the tension in Gale’s muscles next to me, fear an altercation.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
However, Fifa is investigating Argentina's actions after players and backroom staff were involved in altercations with Spain's players after losing the World Cup final.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
As a result, the public has been kept from one of the chief ways it has to hold officers involved in such altercations accountable: their identity.
From Salon ● Feb. 2, 2026
The Diddy trial has been full of nonstop drama: from constant bickering between the legal teams to outbursts and altercations inside and outside the courthouse, all peppering a constant stream of utterly shocking testimonies.
From Slate ● Jun. 10, 2025
Alimouri plans to file motions challenging the venue, the charges and whether San Bernardino County has jurisdiction over the Pomona altercations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2024
Just a long, poor-lighted platform with loud furious altercations in Arabic going on somewhere.
From "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
