squabble
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
- squabbler noun
- squabblingly adverb
- unsquabbling adjective
Etymology
Origin of squabble
1595–1605; probably < Scandinavian; compare Swedish dialect skvabbel a quarrel, gossip, Norwegian dialect skvabba to prattle
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.
This makes Anthropic’s squabble with the Pentagon over the use of its tools even more disturbing and shortsighted.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2026
And like in any squabble, there will be a winner and a loser.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 25, 2026
As it stands, the science is somewhat unclear — despite the best efforts of both protagonists — leaving Stamets and Chilton to squabble over whose products are superior.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2025
Chessum embraced England team manager Richard Hill with a scream of delight as Van der Merwe tangled with some of the home side in the final squabble of a spicy encounter.
From BBC • Feb. 22, 2025
A squabble of costumed microraptors burst out of the doorway first, followed by Mapper, his glasses all smoked over and his dark skin smudged with ashes.
From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older
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.
