quarrel Hear it!

quarrel¹ Definition

quar·rel (kwôr′əl, kwär′-)

noun

  1. a bolt or arrow with a quadrangular head, shot from a crossbow
  2. a small, diamond-shaped or square pane of glass, as in a latticed window

Etymology: ME quarel < OFr < ML querellus < VL *quadrellum, dim. of L quadrus, a square

quarrel² Definition

quar·rel (kwôr′əl, kwär′-)

noun

  1. a cause for dispute
  2. a dispute or disagreement, esp. one marked by anger and deep resentment
  3. a falling out; breaking up of friendly relations

Etymology: ME quarel < OFr querele < L querela, complaint < queri, to complain, lament < IE base *wes-, to pant, snort > wheeze

intransitive verb -·reled or -·relled, -·rel·ing or -·rel·ling

  1. to find fault; complain
  2. to dispute heatedly
  3. to have a breach in friendship

quarrel² Related Forms

quar′·reler noun or quar′·rel·ler

quarrel Synonyms

quarrel

n.

  1. An angry dispute

    argument, wrangle, squabble, altercation, dispute, disagreement, dissension, falling-out, feud, spat*; see also disagreement 1, dispute, fight 1.

  2. Objection

    complaint, disapproval, disagreement; see objection 1, 2.

quarrel Synonyms

quarrel

v.

argue, wrangle, dispute, contend, fight, squabble, bicker, clash, altercate, dissent, struggle, strive, contest, object, complain, disagree, differ, fall out, break with, be at loggerheads, be at odds, charge, allegate, feud, battle, brawl, row, spar, have words with, mix it up with*, pick a bone with*, tread on one's toes*, get tough with*, lock horns*, fall foul of*, have a brush with*, have it out*, make the fur fly*, kick up a row*, scrap*, hassle*; see also fight 2, oppose 1.

Antonyms agree*, accord*, harmonize.

quarrel implies heated verbal strife marked by anger and resentment and often suggests continued hostility as a result; wrangle suggests a noisy dispute in which each person is vehemently insistent on his or her own views; altercation implies verbal contention that may or may not be accompanied by blows; squabble implies undignified, childish wrangling over a small matter; spat is a colloquial term for a petty quarrel and suggests a brief outburst that does not have a significant effect on a relationship

quarrel Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • settle: One result of this is that neither the headman nor anyone else could really exercise any leadership or exert pressure to settle village quarrels.
  • pick: But perhaps I am still too young, and haven't the strength yet to defend myself against whoever picks quarrels for no reason.

Adjective modifier

  • bitter: The policy, known as peaceful co-existence, caused bitter quarrels between the Soviet Union and China.
  • petty: And now to your petty quarrel with Ilona How patronizing you are!
  • violent: The Beast Husband and wife were in the midst of a violent quarrel, and hubby was losing his temper.
  • domestic: He would rehearse philosophical debates like domestic quarrels, taking all sides alternately.
  • serious: Once my uncle Alfred had a serious quarrel with his wife.
  • personal: At the same time the factional dispute became entwined with a personal quarrel.

Modifying Another Word

  • violently: He refused to agree, and has quarreled violently, literally violently, with his brothers.
  • bitterly: In 1797, however, the two men quarreled bitterly over John's choice of bride, and John set up a rival store.
  • no: We have no quarrel with the people of Leeds.
  • frequently: John and his father did not agree on many things and frequently quarreled.
  • about: New adjudication in 1998 was expected to be the forum for a quarrel about whether the flue liners were a variation or not.
  • never: He never quarreled about religion with his parents or anyone else.

Followed by an intransitive particle

over: Each inheritance is a prey for the vilest passions to quarrel over.

Possessives

lover: In 1885, Sarah Anne Henley, after a lover's quarrel, tried to commit suicide by jumping off of it.

Preposition: in

church: Because there is division, arrogance, jealousy and quarreling in the church.

Preposition: with

  • foe: Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The flashlight; be yours to hold it high.
  • man: In the morning Moha woke me up as he was quarreling with a man who was writing dog down the numbers of our cars.

Noun used with modifier

family: If you are suffering problems due to family quarrels, the ride gets strenuous.