bickering

American  

[bik-er-ing] / ˈbɪk ər ɪŋ /

adjective

1. arguing petulantly or peevishly; wrangling or quarreling.

   To raise their daughter properly, the bickering pair must set aside their differences and work on their parenting skills.

2. flickering.

   They deliberately hadn’t fixed the bickering light at the bistro, as it had become an iconic feature of the establishment.

3. Literary. rushing or making a rushing sound, as water.

   The two flutes accompanied by piano sounded like two chirping birds chasing each other above a bickering stream.

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noun

1. the act of engaging in petulant or peevish argument.

   Why all this useless bickering over who's best or better?

2. the act of flickering.

   If you’re bothered by the constant bickering of the malfunction light on your motorbike, do a thorough analysis of the wiring.

3. Literary. the act of rushing or of making a rushing sound, as water.

   Over the roar of the falls and the ceaseless bickering of the rain, he heard another sound.

Other Word Forms

• unbickering adjective

Etymology

Origin of bickering

First recorded in 1275–1325; bicker ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; bicker ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun senses

Example Sentences

And she thinks their bickering can actually be a help.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

There was much intra-Senate grousing and griping and bickering in the days preceding Friday morning’s vote.

From Slate • Mar. 28, 2026

This constant bickering only leads to an inescapable level of discourse that serves the false perception of Fennell as the raging provocateur she is not.

From Salon • Feb. 23, 2026

Now the venture has devolved into bickering between defense companies Airbus and Dassault Aviation—and between Berlin and Paris—over who gets to lead its development, with all sides now questioning its future.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

However, no one had pushed him and there was no point in bickering over trifles.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

Related Words

• altercation
• argument
• brawl
• controversy
• difference
• difference of opinion
• discord
• dispute
• dissension
• disturbance
• falling-out
• feud
• fracas
• misunderstanding
• row
• ruckus
• run-in
• spat
• squabble
• strife