View synonyms for quarrel

quarrel

[ kwawr-uhl, kwor- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

an angry dispute or altercation; a disagreement marked by a temporary or permanent break in friendly relations.
Synonyms: fight, difference, controversy, contention, argument
a cause of dispute, complaint, or hostile feeling:
She has no quarrel with her present salary.

verb (used without object)

quarreled, quarreling or (especially British) quarrelled, quarrelling.

to disagree angrily; squabble; wrangle.
Synonyms: fight, brawl, argue, bicker
to end a friendship as a result of a disagreement.
to make a complaint; find fault.

quarrel

[ kwawr-uhl, kwor- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a square-headed bolt or arrow, formerly used with a crossbow.
Also a small, square or diamond-shaped pane of glass, as used in latticed windows.
any of various tools with pyramidal heads.

quarrel

/ ˈkwɒrəl /

noun

an angry disagreement; argument
a cause of disagreement or dispute; grievance

verb

to engage in a disagreement or dispute; argue
to find fault; complain

quarrel

/ ˈkwɒrəl /

noun

an arrow having a four-edged head, fired from a crossbow
a small square or diamond-shaped pane of glass, usually one of many in a fixed or casement window and framed with lead

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Derived Forms

ˈquarreller, noun

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Other Words From

quarrel·er noun
quarrel·ing·ly adverb
un·quarrel·ing adjective
un·quarrel·ling adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of quarrel¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English querele, from Old French, from Latin querēla, querella “complaint,” noun derivative of querī “to complain”

Origin of quarrel²

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English quarel, from Old French, from Medieval Latin quadrellus, diminutive of Latin quadrus “square”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of quarrel¹

C14: from Old French querele, from Latin querēlla complaint, from querī to complain

Origin of quarrel²

C13: from Old French quarrel pane, from Medieval Latin quadrellus, diminutive of Latin quadrus square

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Idioms and Phrases

see pick a quarrel .

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Synonym Study

Quarrel, dissension refer to disagreement and conflict. Quarrel applies chiefly to a verbal disagreement between individuals or groups and is used with reference to a large variety of situations, from a slight and petty difference of opinion to a violent altercation: It was little more than a domestic quarrel. Their quarrel led to the barroom brawl. Dissension usually implies a profound disagreement and bitter conflict. It also applies chiefly to conflict within a group or to members of the same group: dissension within the union; dissension among the Democrats.

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

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