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Definitions

dustup

[duhst-uhp] / ˈdʌstˌʌp /
NOUN
argument
Synonyms
STRONGEST
altercation bickering brawl clash controversy debate disagreement dispute exchange feud quarrel squabble
STRONG
beef blowup bone brush crusher 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
difference
Synonyms
STRONGEST
argument clash conflict controversy debate disagreement discord dispute quarrel
STRONG
beef blowup brawl brush brush-off contention contrariety contretemps discordance dissension dissent dissidence disunity estrangement hassle row run-in scrap set-to spat strife tiff variance words wrangle
WEAK
bone to pick brannigan disaccord
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accord agreement harmony peace
STRONG
approval authorization concurrence ratification
WEAK
alikeness assent consent
NOUN
polemic
Synonyms
STRONGEST
spat
STRONG
altercation beef bicker bickering blowup bone brawl brush clash contention controversy crusher debate difficulty disagreement dispute 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

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.

To understand why, see this week’s dustup over CBS “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert’s interview with Talarico.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

Fosado told the Journal Sentinel that the dustup didn’t alter his opinion of Brewers fans.

From Salon • Oct. 16, 2025

The legal dustup comes after a string of controversial wins for the president.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 3, 2025

Inside the United Center, it was largely quiet as well, with few mentions of the conflict from speakers, little in the way of Israeli or Palestinian flags, and merely one dustup between delegates.

From Slate • Aug. 21, 2024

Together, we googled around and figured out what the whole dustup was about.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.