altercation
Americannoun
-
altercations
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of altercation
1350–1400; Middle English altercacioun < Latin altercātiōn- (stem of altercātiō ). See altercate, -ion
Explanation
Altercation is a nicer word for "quarrel," which is a nicer word for "fight." Fight is a simple, effective one-syllable word, while quarrel is a softer, two-syllable word, and altercation is a very civilized-sounding four-syllable word for the same uncivilized thing: a noisy argument between angry people. Someone who gets a black eye fighting for a parking spot might — after cooling down — describe the incident as an altercation rather than as a knock-down, drag-out brawl.
Vocabulary lists containing altercation
To Kill a Mockingbird
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Grade 9, List 3
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1984
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
According to Scottish singer Amy McDonald, who was also on the line-up, the altercation was seismic.
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026
The altercation was between the Oxnard boy and two other unidentified males.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026
On Dec. 7, 2023, Howard was involved in another incident: a verbal altercation with another coach, the law firm noted.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
Organisers said an altercation developed after complaints by two councillors about a poster of the Reform leader.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Somewhere in the rear of the crowd an altercation was going on.
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
And the week leading up to El Clasico for Real was dominated less by football and more by dressing-room unrest, player altercations and internal disciplinary action.
From BBC ● May 11, 2026
As a result, the public has been kept from one of the chief ways it has to hold officers involved in such altercations accountable: their identity.
From Salon ● Feb. 2, 2026
Harteveldt said these close quarters often lead to altercations on flights.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 25, 2025
The Diddy trial has been full of nonstop drama: from constant bickering between the legal teams to outbursts and altercations inside and outside the courthouse, all peppering a constant stream of utterly shocking testimonies.
From Slate ● Jun. 10, 2025
Plus, I probably would've had less altercations because my brother could've talked me out of some of them.
From "Ghost" by Jason Reynolds
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
