ALTERCATING Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

altercating

verb

present participle of altercate

as in bickering

to express different opinions about something often angrily this discussion is so silly we might as well altercate on how many angels can dance on the point of a needle

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for altercating

Verb

Like law enforcement agents everywhere, they’re disposed to bickering about jurisdiction or pumping each other for off-limits information.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
There’s striker Josie Gordon, bickering twin sisters Siobhan and Niamh, glove-shunning goalie Katie ‘Boots’ Quinn and couple Maddie and Margy.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of bickering

Verb

The discovery raises the possibility of a grim outcome in the search for the four men, which has led to El Salvador deploying 450 special forces soldiers to Haiti as of Friday to aid the gang-fighting force in the search.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
The whole idea is for Israel to keep fighting, because endless wars serve Netanyahu to maintain… a constant state of emergency.

— Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of fighting

Verb

The Virginia appeals court is being asked to invalidate the amendment, arguing state lawmakers failed to follow proper procedures before putting it before voters.

— Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
Means, along with his sister, came to prominence within the MAHA movement by arguing that ultraprocessed foods, additives and pesticides could be blamed for many of the chronic health conditions facing Americans.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of arguing

Verb

The two were among two quarreling groups inside the club that began to fight, according to the report.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
Sunday, a caller reported hearing two men quarreling and someone stating that a person would be taken into custody.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of quarreling

Verb

Protests last week devolved into mayhem, with people setting fires, storming public buildings, smashing shop windows, looting and clashing with police.

— ELITSA GADEVA, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Aside from clashing over national topics like tariffs, the Iran war, artificial intelligence and Social Security, the candidates were asked about jobs in Michigan, the auto industry and education.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of clashing

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

altercates

altercating

altercation

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“Altercating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altercating. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of altercating

verb

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