as in quarrels
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
like any couple, they have their spats
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in bickers
to express different opinions about something often angrily
we tend to spat over money more than anything else
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of spats
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
While the program has produced lighter moments for political junkies, such as the Allison-Singleton banter, clips of occasional spats between panelists have made the show a messy must-watch for virtual viewers who casually tune in to the tussles on social media.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026
Instead, the right devolved into a series of intramural spats, primarily over America’s support for Israel.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
To those in the industry, he was known as a hardworking executive who worked long hours even when sick and who was not afraid to get into spats with retail industry leaders.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 23 Mar. 2026
Trump’s use of a global trade war to alienate friends and abuse neighbors, and his spats with allies over the fates of Greenland and Ukraine, seem to have left room for Xi to grow his power.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Anyone with siblings, particularly those somewhat close in age, knows spats periodically happen.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026
Jones is even avoiding any public spats with players and agents in contract talks.
—Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026
Any verbal spats were merely clearing the air, giving everyone space to move forward without overthinking.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
Kerr and Green have gotten into their spats over the years, but four NBA titles together have also been the result.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
While the program has produced lighter moments for political junkies, such as the Allison-Singleton banter, clips of occasional spats between panelists have made the show a messy must-watch for virtual viewers who casually tune in to the tussles on social media.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026
Instead, the right devolved into a series of intramural spats, primarily over America’s support for Israel.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
To those in the industry, he was known as a hardworking executive who worked long hours even when sick and who was not afraid to get into spats with retail industry leaders.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 23 Mar. 2026
Trump’s use of a global trade war to alienate friends and abuse neighbors, and his spats with allies over the fates of Greenland and Ukraine, seem to have left room for Xi to grow his power.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Anyone with siblings, particularly those somewhat close in age, knows spats periodically happen.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026
Jones is even avoiding any public spats with players and agents in contract talks.
—Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026
Any verbal spats were merely clearing the air, giving everyone space to move forward without overthinking.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spats
Noun
-
Avoid money quarrels with everyone.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 Feb. 2026
-
His quarrels with Massie and interest in relitigating the 2020 election seem to animate him more, too.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The pope, played by Samora la Perdida, is a mincing oaf who bickers with Galas about the value of translating Wagner.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Though the large parties associated with Spring Weekend were not sanctioned by UConn, the lawsuit contended that university officials knew about the troubles and potential dangers that would ensue based, in part, on previous altercations that had occurred.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Gardner’s style of play irritated plenty of opponents along the way, too, as he was involved in a few verbal altercations throughout the season with players like Klay Thompson and Scotty Pippen Jr.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Ever since, fans have been hooked to see how the friend group navigate fights big and small.—
Colleen Kratofil,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The 31-year-old McKee (24-2), who fights out of Long Beach, continues his pursuit to reclaim his place atop the 145-pound division.—
Brian Martin,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The apparent goal is to discredit accusers in public — then circulate the smears to their social circles — as well as demoralize adversaries amid legal disputes, forcing quiet settlements on preferred terms.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
-
These conditions have fueled widespread reports of labor exploitation, environmental damage and violent disputes over territory, while mercury contamination from gold extraction has posed serious risks to indigenous communities and fragile ecosystems.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
More than 250 security leaders helped shape the briefing, which argues the challenge is no longer just finding flaws, but deciding which ones actually pose real risk – and fixing them before they can be turned into working exploits.—
Stefanie Schappert,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The mega-corporation (owned by Amazon), as Tolentino argues, budgets for this kind of light shoplifting anyway.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Massie came to Congress as a spending hawk, and more than a decade later, that remains his signature issue and the source of many of his disagreements with GOP leaders.—
Russell Berman,
The Atlantic,
25 Apr. 2026
-
But six months after a high-profile IPO, the company’s share price has crashed, and its CEO and CFO both left their posts this weekend, reportedly over disagreements about whether to sell the firm (Fermi didn’t respond to a request for comment).—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Matty is a blustering, blue-collar Bostonian who sees himself as the unequivocal boss of the house and frequently clashes with his liberal niece Blaire, an outspoken college student who often finds herself at odds with her more traditional-minded relatives.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2026
-
For instance, as the moon clashes with Saturn, Mars and Mercury in Aries, tempers could flare internally or with those around you.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spats. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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