altercation
Americannoun
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:
News of Combs’ further-truncated sentence comes a week after TMZ reported the musician was involved in an altercation with another inmate.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 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
Police say the brothers insulted a woman during an altercation over loud noise.
From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026
She underlined that there was “no evidence” the altercation was “about bias or prejudice.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2026
I did not return to my studies for several days following the altercation.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson
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
Renee Nicole Good, a mother of a six year old, showed up with her wife and dog to film altercations between officers and community members.
From Slate ● Jan. 8, 2026
Harteveldt said these close quarters often lead to altercations on flights.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 25, 2025
In 2022, there were 11 recorded cases of physical altercations between inmates, but in 2023 only two such cases were documented.
From BBC ● May 20, 2025
I was the boy with the altercations and the big file.
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.
