altercation
Americannoun
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:
Police say the brothers insulted a woman during an altercation over loud noise.
From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026
Nelson pleaded not guilty to a pair of misdemeanors in connection with the altercation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026
The altercation involving Sandoval, Robinson and her father happened in the early morning hours after the couple returned home from a night out at a bar, according to both accounts.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026
In Brisbane, they made front page news for not wearing helmets when riding on escooters and a member of the security staff got involved in an altercation with a TV cameraman.
From BBC ● May 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
Members of the Argentina team and backroom staff were involved in altercations with Spain players who had begun to celebrate their World Cup success.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 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
Given these competing moves, altercations seem inevitable, experts say.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2024
Plus, I probably would've had less altercations because my brother could've talked me out of some of them.
From "Ghost" by Jason Reynolds
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.
