squabbling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "squabbling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where people are arguing or fighting over trivial matters. Example: "The siblings were squabbling over who would get the last piece of cake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not only was he saddled with an increasingly powerless general council, which spent much of the time squabbling with itself but during the Thatcher period Murray had to deal with Moss Evans of the TGWU, and David Basnett, of the general workers.

The Guardian

Service chiefs resorted to squabbling among themselves as it became increasingly clear that their spending on weapons systems Britain could not afford, and in some cases did not need, would end in tears.

The Guardian

Are the two companies squabbling over who should pick up the tab?

The Guardian - Business

So it was almost inevitable that however Mad Men ended – unless it had concluded with Don jumping to his death through his office window – the final scenes would provoke instant squabbling.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

For what are the coalition, if not a stagily squabbling set of proven losers who – let's face it – don't have a whole heap of options other than muddling along together?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Market-friendly ones that let all firms (public, private and foreign) compete on equal terms were replaced with a law making Petrobras the sole operator in pré-sal fields (though other firms may take financial stakes).The next hold-up was caused by politicians squabbling over dividing the royalties.

The Economist

The oligarchs didn't waver.The hitherto disparate and squabbling Ukrainian elite has united behind the president.

The Economist

Mr Gusmao was once a Fretilin member but has of late been squabbling with it.Even so, the vote for Mr Gusmao demonstrates more than just the power of his personal charisma.

The Economist

Mr Thaci may even try to turn the affair to his advantage by taking the nationalist high ground, arguing that this is not a good time to be squabbling at home, since Kosovo's enemies are on the attack.

The Economist

That deal put an end to years of bitter squabbling over subsidies to Airbus, which was starting to win sales from Boeing.The Europeans suspect the Americans of cheating on the deal by funnelling indirect subsidies to Boeing, in contravention of the agreement to limit subsidies to 30% of a project's cost.

The Economist

A further month of squabbling ensued over who to put in charge.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "squabbling" to describe minor, often irritating arguments or disagreements. It's particularly effective when highlighting the pettiness or triviality of the conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "squabbling" in highly formal or professional writing where a more neutral term like "disagreeing" or "debating" would be more appropriate. "Squabbling" can sometimes imply a lack of seriousness.

Linguistic Context

Squabbling functions primarily as a verb, specifically the present participle or gerund form of the verb "squabble". It describes the act of engaging in petty arguments. As shown in Ludwig, it is used to describe ongoing or habitual instances of petty disagreement. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

News & Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "squabbling" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term describing petty arguments. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English. It is most commonly found in News & Media contexts and has a neutral to informal register. While "squabbling" is a valid term, consider using more formal alternatives like "disputing" in professional settings. The term is useful for highlighting the trivial nature of disagreements, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bickering

Similar in meaning, referring to petty, irritating arguments, though "bickering" often implies a more ongoing or habitual behavior.

quarreling

Implies a more heated and intense disagreement than "squabbling".

wrangling

"Wrangling" suggests a more complex and potentially public dispute, often involving negotiation.

arguing

A more general term for expressing differing opinions, "arguing" lacks the pettiness often associated with "squabbling".

disputing

"Disputing" implies a formal disagreement or questioning of facts or claims.

clashing

"Clashing" suggests a direct confrontation of opposing forces or ideas.

sparring

"Sparring" suggests a less serious, almost playful form of argument.

contending

"Contending" implies a competitive element in the disagreement.

brawling

"Brawling" suggests a physical altercation or a very loud and chaotic argument, which is a more intense conflict.

contesting

"Contesting" implies a challenge to something, such as an election or a decision.

FAQs

How can I use "squabbling" in a sentence?

You can use "squabbling" to describe people engaged in petty arguments. For instance, "The children were "squabbling" over a toy."

What's a good synonym for "squabbling"?

Alternatives to "squabbling" include "bickering", "quarreling", or "wrangling" depending on the specific context.

Is "squabbling" formal or informal?

"Squabbling" is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, it's better to use words like "disputing" or "contending".

What's the difference between "squabbling" and "arguing"?

"Squabbling" implies petty and often trivial disagreements, while "arguing" is a more general term for expressing differing opinions.