FALLING OUT Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

falling-out 1 of 2

noun

ˌfȯ-liŋ-ˈau̇t

Definition of falling-out

as in altercation

an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions the two friends have been lonely and miserable since they had a falling-out

Synonyms & Similar Words

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falling out

2 of 2

verb

present participle of fall out

as in bickering

to express different opinions about something often angrily club members were soon falling out about how to spend the money they'd made washing cars

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in proving

to come to be I had planned to have a sports career, but things fell out otherwise

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 falling-out

Noun

The end came not because of any grand falling-out but simply because some of us assumed new priorities. — Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 11 July 2026 Whenever a romantic comedy reaches the central couple’s big falling-out, my wife shoots me a look. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 July 2026

Verb

Maryna Lystopad, 35, said her hair has started falling out due to the stress from escalating attacks and never knowing where the next attack will hit. — Susie Blann, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 George Santos simply cannot get up After surprising the DS by passing the first task — falling out of a hovering helicopter backward — Santos ruins his big moment by struggling to swim to the dock and not being able to lift himself out of the water. — Sarah Hearon, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for falling-out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for falling-out

Noun

Several callers reported that multiple individuals were involved in the altercation as well as a possible weapon.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2026
The police chief told reporters the shooting likely stemmed from an altercation between two to three individuals and that the department’s Violent Crimes Unit would lead the ongoing investigation.

— Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of altercation

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 collectors who owned them had spent months and thousands of dollars in fees proving what the cards were worth—all for thieves to take two pallets of the cards and make off with the rare collectors’ items.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
The State cannot transform one into the other without proving every element of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of proving

Noun

When a quarrel over an inheritance revives old hostilities, their relationship comes under pressure from greed and treachery in a conflict not of their making.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Aly’s quarrel begins with a name; Luna’s arrives at the rank implied by father.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of quarrel

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

Noun

But the movement has widened to include workers demanding relief from rising living costs, making the government’s task broader than resolving a dispute over university admissions.

— Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Debt, the deficit and high interest rates limit the government’s ability to increase spending and foreshadow disputes over how to fund campaign promises without jeopardizing social programs.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of dispute

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

Browse Nearby Words

falling on one's face

falling-out

falling out

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Style

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

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Synonyms of falling-out

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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