altercation
Americannoun
noun
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.
It’s not clear who was the instigator when, several months ago, Amanda Ponce got into an altercation with a fellow resident at a Boyle Heights homeless housing site.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026
TMZ publishes a previously unreleased video taken by Mortensen during his February 2023 altercation with Paul.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement that it was aware of the footage showing the verbal altercation between locals and journalists.
From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026
Despite the altercation with the nightclub bouncer occurring the night before a one-day international, Brook was retained as white-ball captain.
From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026
With his A-block buddies, he created a fake altercation on his way to supper.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
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.
