Squabbled

The verb 'squabbled' describes a petty argument or disagreement, often involving a heated exchange of words, but not necessarily leading to physical violence. It implies a lack of seriousness or importance to the dispute, often focused on trivial matters. The squabble usually lacks the gravity of a formal debate or a severe conflict. The participants often bicker or quibble, and their focus tends to be on the surface issues rather than underlying, more significant problems. It suggests a temporary disruption in the relationship, but not a permanent breakdown. The word often describes noisy and unpleasant behavior.

Squabbled meaning with examples

• The children squabbled over a toy, each claiming it was rightfully theirs. Their argument quickly escalated into shouts and tears, though the issue was easily resolved with a simple compromise. The parents sighed, used to their frequent squabbles over the smallest of possessions and the children's inability to share.
• The neighbors squabbled loudly about a boundary fence, their voices carrying across the yards. Their argument began with polite disagreement, and quickly descended into accusations and complaints, highlighting their long-standing simmering frustrations about each other's properties, but neither would budge.
• After the movie, the friends squabbled about the ending. One thought it was brilliant, the other a mess. Their disagreement was quite lively, marked by raised voices and dramatic hand gestures, but it ultimately ended with laughter and the promise of future movie nights together, their little squabble forgotten.
• The two candidates squabbled during the televised debate, interrupting each other with accusations and rebuttals. The squabble gave the audience the impression of childish behavior instead of serious discussion about important policy matters, demonstrating their lack of readiness to be in the room.