Synonyms

falling-out

American

[faw-ling-out] / ˈfɔ lɪŋˈaʊt /

noun

plural

fallings-out, falling-outs

a quarrel or estrangement between persons formerly in close association with one another.

Etymology

Origin of falling-out

1560–70; nominalization of verb phrase fall out; -ing ¹

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.

New Zealand has a formal military alliance with Australia, but had a falling-out with the U.S. when New Zealand took a stance against nuclear weapons in its territory in the 1980s.

From The Wall Street Journal

There is an understanding that he took over mid‑season from Maresca, who walked away following a falling-out with the hierarchy, when the club had hoped the Italian would remain until at least the summer.

From BBC

Shanghai Chic, her argument with her ba, and my falling-out with James came rushing back.

From Literature

The legal feud marks a dramatic falling-out between Anderson and his longtime mentor Burkle, who was the best man at Anderson’s wedding.

From Los Angeles Times

He seamlessly managed the transition to a new reign and graciously navigated the falling-out between his two sons, maintaining traditions of the monarchy as he modernized it.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023