BICKERING Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

bickering

verb

Definition of bickering

present participle of bicker

as in arguing

to express different opinions about something often angrily if you two don't stop bickering about where to go to eat, we're not going out at all!

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of bickering For those of us interested in governing and not bickering, this is a good thing. — Gail Slater, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026 The plot centers on bickering couple Joe and Angela, who invite their noisy upstairs neighbors, Hawk and Piña, for dinner. — Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 Several weeks back, Clark and White were caught bickering during a timeout huddle against the expansion Portland Fire. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 June 2026 The two get to bickering about her terrible track record, with Dennis hilariously failing to realize that this accusation includes him among the questionable men. — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026 SpaceX and the Pentagon have been bickering about the price of using Starshield satellite service during the Iran war, according to a Reuters report published today. — ArsTechnica, 26 May 2026 Since then, showrunner Tim Minear and the rest of the writers have played up the actors' natural chemistry, playing into both the characters' bickering dynamic and their willingness to do anything, including risking their lives, for one another. — Sabienna Bowman, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026 The emotional distress may have stemmed from the family's extended trip together and bickering, his mother told USA TODAY on June 3. — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 3 June 2026 While the concrete cured, the starting eight matches of the first-ever World Cup were relocated to Pocitos and Gran Parque Central, the home grounds of capital rivals Peñarol and Nacional, who'd been bickering since their first meeting in July 1900. — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bickering

Verb

In 2022, Kroger announced a plan to merge with rival Albertsons, arguing that a larger chain would be better able to compete against rivals.

— Michelle Chapman, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
The Department of Justice on Thursday declined to turn over additional information from the Epstein files as ordered by a judge, arguing the materials include sensitive victim information or were appropriately redacted as required by law.

— Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 2 July 2026

Definition of arguing

Verb

Now might not seem the moment for Democrats to be quarrelling, but many of them believe that the only way to build the Party back up is to remake it.

— Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
The lack of money has, at times, led to quarrelling between the services - most notably pitting the navy against the army and the Royal Air Force.

— Ian King, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026

Definition of quarreling

Verb

Police encountered teens fighting, launching fireworks at other people and carrying handguns.

— Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
This serum is great for fading dark spots, boosting collagen production, and fighting visible signs of aging like fine lines and dullness.

— Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 4 July 2026

Definition of fighting

Verb

The actor ended up calling attention to his own hat after squabbling with cast member Sarah Sherman — who, to match the country singer's vibe, pulled up in a cowboy hat, leaving Gosling as the odd man out.

— Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
With supply shrinking, the states continue squabbling.

— Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 26 June 2026

Definition of squabbling

Verb

Trump has long rebuked other NATO countries over their defense spending — and claimed last year’s pledge to collectively boost it as a major personal win — while more recently clashing with them for failing to back his war against Iran.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
During the evening, brands and platforms competed to throw the activation creators most wanted to be seen at, the parties clashing back to back.

— Taylor Reilly, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of clashing

Verb

English soccer fans have earned a reputation for violent hooliganism, hurling plastic chairs and brawling their way across the piazzas and boulevards of Europe.

— Alexander Smith, NBC news, 3 July 2026
And in an age of boorish, brawling Little League Parents®, perhaps there’s a lesson to be learned from our new friends in the horn hats.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 26 June 2026

Definition of brawling

Verb

The location in Alexandria, Louisiana, would remove logistical headaches caused by wrangling children from foster homes and shelters across the country and not having anywhere to put them during final preparations for flight.

— JACK BROOK, ABC News, 6 July 2026
Hollywood guilds are currently wrangling with the perils and possibilities of AI.

— Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 6 July 2026

Definition of wrangling

Browse Nearby Words

bickerers

bickering

bickers

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“Bickering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bickering. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of bickering

verb

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