altercation

[awl-ter-key-shuhn]

noun

1. a heated or angry dispute; noisy argument or controversy.

   Synonyms: tiff, squabble, clash, disagreement, quarrel

altercation

/ ˌɔːltəˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. an angry or heated discussion or quarrel; argument

Word History and Origins

Origin of altercation¹

1350–1400; Middle English altercacioun < Latin altercātiōn- (stem of altercātiō ). See altercate, -ion

Example Sentences

The next day, on 1 October, Mr Majothi said he had an altercation with his commander, after which he separated from Russian soldiers.

Read more on BBC

It said a small group of counter-protesters had breached Public Order Act conditions "by demonstrating at the form up point of the Palestine Coalition protest", leading to the altercation.

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He used to have a roommate named Bonnie, until the two had an altercation that ended in her biting off one of his toes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The 69-year-old truck driver who got into a physical altercation with former USC quarterback Mark Sanchez over the weekend is out of the hospital and continuing his recovery at home, according to his attorneys.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

During the ensuing altercation, Sanchez threw Tole toward a wall and also onto the ground, the affidavit said, before Tole, believing he was in danger, sprayed Sanchez with pepper spray and eventually stabbed him.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• argument 
• bickering 
• blowup 
• brawl 
• flap 
• fracas 
• quarrel 
• run-in 
• tiff 
• wrangle