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Definition of altercation

altercation

/ˌɔːl.tɚˈkeɪ.ʃən/
al · ter · ca · tion
Plural:altercations
•
Adjective:altercative
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altercation Lexical Profile

altercation Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A noisy, heated, or angry dispute or quarrel, especially one that occurs in public.

Example

"The referee had to step in to separate the two players after a brief altercation on the field."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for altercation

• Nearby Words

alter
alterable
alteration
altercation
alternate
alternately
alternatingly

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French altercation or directly from Latin altercatio ('a debate, dispute'), derived from the verb altercari ('to wrangle, contend in words'), which traces back to alter ('the other of two')—referring to the back-and-forth exchange between two opposing parties.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Altercation. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/altercation
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