YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

altercation

Noun

IPA /ˌɔːltəˈkeɪʃn/

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Meaning in plain English

A loud, angry disagreement between people, usually involving an exchange of heated words rather than a calm discussion.

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Pronunciation

altercation/ˌɔːltəˈkeɪʃn/

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Two drivers want the same space
They exchange loud, angry words
Someone steps in to calm them

An altercation is a heated argument, such as drivers quarrelling over a parking space.

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Examples in context

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Two drivers had an altercation over the last parking space.
A supervisor stepped in when an altercation broke out between colleagues.

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Two drivers had an ________ over the last parking space.

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altercation — A loud, angry disagreement between people, usually involving an exchange of heated words rather than a calm discussion.

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A loud, angry disagreement between people, usually involving an exchange of heated words rather than a calm discussion.

Compare: Two drivers had an altercation over the last parking space.

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Word origin

From Latin altercatio, related to the verb altercari, meaning argue.

Did you know?

An altercation with someone identifies the other person; an altercation over something identifies the cause.

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