Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

bickering

[bik-er-ing] / ˈbɪk ər ɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
quarreling
Synonyms
STRONG
conflicting differing fighting squabbling
WEAK
at odds discordant in disagreement inharmonious
NOUN
altercation
Synonyms
STRONGEST
argument blowup brawl flap fracas quarrel run-in tiff wrangle
STRONG
beef brush combat contest controversy dispute embroilment fuss go hassle row rumble set-to words
WEAK
bone of contention squabbling
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreement calm harmony peace
STRONG
accord quiet
WEAK
concord union unity
NOUN
argument
Synonyms
STRONGEST
altercation brawl clash controversy debate disagreement dispute exchange feud quarrel squabble
STRONG
beef blowup bone brush crusher dustup face-off finisher flap fuss gin go hassle knockdown out rhubarb romp row ruckus ruction rumpus run-in scene scrap set-to shindy spat static stew tiff words wrangle
WEAK
bone of contention bone to pick brannigan difference of opinion donnybrook falling-out knock-down-drag-out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreement harmony peace
STRONG
calm
NOUN
beef
Synonyms
STRONG
criticism dispute grievance gripe grouse grumble objection protestation quarrel rhubarb squabble
Antonyms
STRONG
agreement compliment concurrence flattery praise
NOUN
brawl
Synonyms
STRONGEST
altercation argument battle clash dispute feud fight fracas free-for-all melee quarrel riot ruckus scuffle squabble uproar wrangle
STRONG
affray broil disorder fray fuss hassle rhubarb row rumble rumpus scrap tumult
WEAK
battle royal donnybrook duke out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreement calm harmony peace
STRONG
order
WEAK
truce
NOUN
controversy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
argument difference discussion fuss quarrel squabble strife wrangle wrangling
STRONG
altercation beef brush contention disputation embroilment flak hurrah miff polemic row rumpus scene scrap tiff words
WEAK
dissention falling-out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreement concurrence peace
STRONG
compliment harmony praise
WEAK
accord forbearance quiet
NOUN
difficulty
Synonyms
STRONGEST
controversy dispute hassle misunderstanding strife trouble
STRONG
altercation beef fight quarrel squabble
WEAK
falling-out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreement harmony peace
WEAK
calm calmness contentment ease felicity pleasure satisfaction tranquility
NOUN
disagreement
Synonyms
STRONGEST
animosity antagonism argument clash conflict controversy debate difference discord dissent disunity division feud fight friction hostility misunderstanding opposition spat split squabble strife tension wrangle
STRONG
altercation atmospherics breach break contention contest cross-purposes dissidence disunion hassle rupture variance vendetta words
WEAK
clashing divisiveness falling out ill feeling ill will jarring
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accord agreement concord concurrence friendship harmony juncture peace understanding
WEAK
acquiescence likeness sameness similarity
NOUN
dispute
Synonyms
STRONGEST
brawl conflict controversy debate disagreement discord discussion disturbance feud friction misunderstanding quarrel row squabble strife wrangle
STRONG
altercation beef broil brouhaha commotion contention dissension embroilment fireworks flare-up fracas fuss hubbub miff polemic rumpus squall tiff uproar variance words
WEAK
bone of contention difference of opinion falling-out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accord agreement calm concord concurrence harmony peace quiet
NOUN
dissension
Synonyms
STRONGEST
controversy disagreement discord dissent disunity factionalism friction fuss quarrel strife wrangle
STRONG
altercation argument clinker contention difference discordance dispute dissidence faction flak scene static trouble variance
WEAK
bad vibes disaccord sour note
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreement harmony peace
STRONG
conformity unity
WEAK
approval authorization concurrence confirmation ratification
NOUN
feud
Synonyms
STRONGEST
altercation bad blood conflict contest controversy disagreement discord dispute dissension enmity fight fracas hostility quarrel rivalry row run-in squabble strife vendetta
STRONG
broil combat contention faction grudge
WEAK
falling out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accord agreement calm concord concurrence friendship harmony kindness peace quiet
STRONG
good will
WEAK
comradeship
NOUN
fracas
Synonyms
STRONGEST
altercation brawl brouhaha feud flap fray free-for-all melee quarrel riot scuffle squabble tumult uproar
STRONG
affray battle broil dispute hassle row ruction ruffle rumpus run-in scrimmage set-to stew trouble words
WEAK
battle royal donnybrook knock-down-drag-out mix up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreement calm harmony peace
NOUN
friction
Synonyms
STRONGEST
animosity antagonism bad blood conflict discontent discord disharmony dispute dissension hassle hatred hostility quarrel resentment resistance rivalry strife trouble wrangling
STRONG
counteraction faction flak impedance incompatibility interference opposition row ruckus rumpus set-to
WEAK
bad feeling bone to pick factionalism sour note
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accord agreement concord happiness harmony liking love peace pleasure
NOUN
fuss
Synonyms
STRONGEST
commotion confusion controversy excitement flap furor hassle ruckus stink
STRONG
ado agitation altercation argument bother broil bustle complaint difficulty display dispute fight flurry flutter fret objection palaver perturbation quarrel row scene squabble stew stir storm to-do turmoil unrest upset worry
WEAK
falling-out kick-up wingding
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreement calm calmness peace quiet
STRONG
ease harmony
NOUN
hairsplitting
Synonyms
STRONG
carping faultfinding perfectionism pettiness sophistry
WEAK
caviling quibbling
NOUN
hassle
Synonyms
STRONGEST
commotion difficulty inconvenience squabble tumult wrangle
STRONG
altercation argument bother clamor disagreement dispute quarrel row run-in struggle trial trouble try turmoil tussle uproar upset whirl
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreement calm peace tranquility
STRONG
happiness harmony
NOUN
imbroglio
Synonyms
STRONGEST
brouhaha entanglement quandary spat squabble
STRONG
altercation argument brawl broil complexity complication dispute embarrassment embroilment flack involvement miff quarrel row run-in
WEAK
falling-out knock-down-drag-out soap opera
Antonyms
STRONG
agreement ease harmony peace simplicity
WEAK
peacemaking
NOUN
polemic
Synonyms
STRONGEST
spat
STRONG
altercation beef bicker blowup bone brawl brush clash contention controversy crusher debate difficulty disagreement dispute dustup exchange face-off feud fight finisher flap fuss gin go hassle knockdown out quarrel rhubarb romp row ruckus ruction rumpus run-in scene scrap set-to shindy squabble static stew tiff word words wrangle
WEAK
bone of contention bone to pick brannigan difference of opinion donnybrook falling-out knock-down-drag-out
Antonyms
STRONG
agreement calm ease friendship harmony peace
NOUN
quarrel
Synonyms
STRONGEST
altercation argument brawl controversy difference difference of opinion discord dispute dissension disturbance falling-out feud fracas misunderstanding row ruckus run-in spat squabble strife struggle tiff tumult vendetta wrangle
STRONG
affray beef breach broil combat commotion complaint contention difficulty disapproval disputation dissidence dust fight fisticuffs fray fuss hassle objection rhubarb scrap set-to
WEAK
battle royal brannigan catfight
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accord agreement calm concord concurrence harmony order peace quiet
STRONG
approval calmness praise sanction tranquility
NOUN
row
Synonyms
STRONGEST
controversy dispute quarrel squabble trouble
STRONG
affray altercation brawl castigation commotion disturbance fracas fray fuss lecture melee noise racket reprimand reproof riot rumpus run-in scrap set-to tiff tongue-lashing tumult uproar words wrangle
WEAK
falling-out knock-down-drag-out shouting match telling-off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreement peace
STRONG
calm calmness harmony order quiet silence tranquility
NOUN
ruction
Synonyms
STRONG
affray altercation argument battle broil clash disorder dispute feud fight fracas fray free-for-all fuss hassle melee quarrel rhubarb riot row ruckus rumble rumpus scrap scuffle squabble tumult uproar wrangle
WEAK
battle royal donnybrook duke out
Antonyms
STRONG
agreement calm harmony order peace
NOUN
run-in
Synonyms
STRONGEST
altercation confrontation falling-out quarrel skirmish tussle
STRONG
brush contretemps dispute encounter fight hassle row set-to
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreement peace
WEAK
harmony
NOUN
spat
Synonyms
STRONGEST
altercation brouhaha difference of opinion disagreement discord falling-out feud flare-up fracas friction misunderstanding run-in squabble strife tiff
STRONG
argument beef conflict dissension embroilment fuss hubbub miff row rumpus words
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreement concord concurrence harmony peace
STRONG
calm
NOUN
squabble
Synonyms
STRONGEST
altercation controversy difference difference of opinion disagreement dispute feud flap hassle quarrel spat tiff wrangle
STRONG
fight fuss row scene scrap set-to words
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accord agreement harmony likeness peace sameness similarity
WEAK
concurrence
NOUN
strife
Synonyms
STRONGEST
animosity clash conflict controversy disagreement discord dispute dissension disunity fighting friction quarrel rivalry squabble warfare wrangle wrangling
STRONG
affray altercation argument blowup brawl combat competition contention contest difference dissent dissidence emulation faction fuss hassle spat static striving variance words
WEAK
factionalism squabbling tug of war
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accord agreement concurrence harmony peace
STRONG
calm conformity truce unity
WEAK
success victory
NOUN
tiff
Synonyms
STRONGEST
altercation falling-out quarrel run-in spat squabble tantrum wrangle
STRONG
difference disagreement dispute fit huff miff pet row scrap sulk temper words
WEAK
bad mood
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreement harmony peace
STRONG
happiness likeness sameness similarity
NOUN
unrest
Synonyms
STRONGEST
anarchy anxiety confusion controversy crisis discontent discord dissension insurrection protest rebellion strife tension trouble tumult turmoil uproar
STRONG
altercation annoyance bother chagrin change contention debate disaffection disease disquiet dissatisfaction distress dither ennui grief irritation malaise moodiness mortification perplexity perturbation quarrel restlessness sedition sorrow tizzy unease uneasiness upset vexation worry
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreement approval calm calmness composure contentedness contentment ease happiness harmony order peace
STRONG
comfort delight health joy pleasure
WEAK
rest
NOUN
uproar
Synonyms
STRONGEST
brawl chaos clamor confusion flap fracas free-for-all furor fuss mayhem melee outcry riot strife turbulence turmoil
STRONG
ado babble babel bedlam broil bustle clangor clatter din disorder hassle jangle noise racket row ruction shivaree stink stir to-do violence
WEAK
big scene roughhouse
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm harmony order organization peace quiet silence system
STRONG
agreement
NOUN
vendetta
Synonyms
STRONGEST
grudge hostility quarrel revenge rivalry squabble
STRONG
argument conflict disagreement discord dispute dissension fight fracas row strife
WEAK
bad blood falling out family feud
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreement forgiveness
STRONG
calm harmony peace
NOUN
wrangle
Synonyms
STRONGEST
altercation brawl brouhaha disagreement falling-out flap fracas hassle quarrel ruckus squabble tiff
STRONG
blowup clash contest controversy dispute exchange row ruction rumble rumpus scene set-to
WEAK
battle royal brannigan knock-down-drag-out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreement calm harmony peace
STRONG
quiet

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.

There was much intra-Senate grousing and griping and bickering in the days preceding Friday morning’s vote.

From Slate • Mar. 28, 2026

This constant bickering only leads to an inescapable level of discourse that serves the false perception of Fennell as the raging provocateur she is not.

From Salon • Feb. 23, 2026

The pair are later seen bickering just as they did in the old days.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

Once they no longer had an off-ice relationship at stake, they could resume their normal on-ice bickering:

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

The past version of us came barreling around the corner, bickering and insulting one another like it was our professional career.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin