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.
Boyd told media outlets that the incident arose after "some type of an altercation".
From BBC • May 1, 2026
When the footage emerged, the network decided to cancel her season, showcasing how ugly the altercation was behind all the legalese.
From Salon • Apr. 29, 2026
Police were called at 08:50 BST on Tuesday to an address on Great Dover Street in Southwark, after the suspect was reportedly involved in an altercation with the property's occupant.
From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026
After a 10-hour negotiating session on Monday, an altercation or a feared altercation — accounts vary — resulted in the district calling police.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026
As the Americans were waiting to move on, an altercation broke out in their rear-most rank.
From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut
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.
