squabble

[ skwob-uhl ]
See synonyms for squabble on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object),squab·bled, squab·bling.
  1. to engage in a petty quarrel.

verb (used with object),squab·bled, squab·bling.
  1. Printing. to disarrange and mix (composed type).

noun
  1. a petty quarrel.

Origin of squabble

1
1595–1605; probably <Scandinavian; compare Swedish dialect skvabbel a quarrel, gossip, Norwegian dialect skvabba to prattle

Other words for squabble

Other words from squabble

  • squabbler, noun
  • squab·bling·ly, adverb
  • un·squab·bling, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use squabble in a sentence

  • The squabbles between the armed natives and their leaders, however, were several times on the point of producing bloodshed.

    The Philippine Islands | John Foreman
  • An old fellow more archaeologist than judge, who found delight in the petty squabbles under his eyes.

    Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z | Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe
  • Having no more internal squabbles to fear, it will present a formidable quadruple breast to the outer world.

    Friend Mac Donald | Max O'Rell
  • It was not often that Frances so rebelled, or that their small squabbles went so nearly the length of a quarrel.

    Robin Redbreast | Mary Louisa Molesworth
  • You have shuddered at the frightful consequences which have resulted from the unreasonable squabbles of the clergy.

    Letters To Eugenia | Paul Henri Thiry Holbach

British Dictionary definitions for squabble

squabble

/ (ˈskwɒbəl) /


verb
  1. (intr) to quarrel over a small matter

noun
  1. a petty quarrel

Origin of squabble

1
C17: probably of Scandinavian origin; related to Swedish dialect sqvabbel to quarrel

Derived forms of squabble

  • squabbler, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012