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Showing results for quarrelsome. Search instead for quarrels/9.
Definitions

quarrelsome

[kwawr-uhl-suhm, kwor-] / ˈkwɔr əl səm, ˈkwɒr- /
ADJECTIVE
being disagreeable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
belligerent cantankerous combative contentious fractious litigious petulant tempestuous turbulent unruly
WEAK
argumentative bad-tempered bellicose brawling cat-and-dog choleric churlish crabby cross disputatious dissentious excitable fiery gladiatorial hasty have chip on shoulder hotheaded huffy impassioned irascible irritable ornery passionate peevish pettish pugnacious querulous ructious snappy thin-skinned touchy truculent violent war
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreeable calm good-natured happy mild moderate nice obedient pleasant
WEAK
forgiving friendly patient

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.

The move is risky, and it will be quarrelsome — especially for those who still see Zendaya as an idyllic Disney star, despite her respectable penchant for complicated characters.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

Don't get me wrong, the tone of these discussions has always been quarrelsome and combative; more Lemme than Liszt.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

Much of the reason the Ripa-Consuelos team has been successful on TV is that they are enthusiastic, quarrelsome in an amusing way, but also intense.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 24, 2025

But in grieving his lost youth, he became quarrelsome and sometimes belligerent.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 28, 2024

Matthias knew the drill; it was surprising how the stone-holder could gain quiet among such a noisy, quarrelsome gathering.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

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