Spat

A 'spat' refers to a minor, often brief, quarrel or disagreement, usually involving harsh words but not escalating to physical violence. It's a heated exchange of insults or resentments, often stemming from a trivial matter. The term implies a sense of pettiness and temporary discord, rather than a deep-seated and lasting conflict. Think of it as a verbal skirmish, a clash of opinions resulting in ruffled feelings. The duration is key, as a spat usually resolves relatively quickly compared to a feud or major argument. Spats happen between individuals but can involve larger groups as well.

Spat meaning with examples

• The siblings had a minor spat over who got to choose the movie, with a flurry of sarcastic remarks and eye-rolling before their mother intervened and mediated the situation.
• During the board meeting, the directors had a spat regarding the marketing budget. The tension was palpable, and several harsh comments were exchanged before the discussion cooled and they took a break.
• The two neighbours' spat over the placement of the fence began with a tense conversation. Over time, they escalated to passive-aggressive notes before the issue was eventually resolved with compromise.
• The couple's spat over the dirty dishes quickly escalated into a wider argument about household chores, but they both apologised and had quickly moved on by the next morning.
• After missing the game-winning shot, the teammates had a spat in the locker room over the player's decision making, which left a feeling of disappointment, but the team reconciled before their next match.