noun
altercation
awl-tuh-KAYSHN
noun
1
A noisy or angry argument, often in public.
"Witnesses described a loud altercation outside the bar."
"The two drivers got into a heated altercation after the crash."
How to Use Altercation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sharp, angry exchange of words — a row or shouting match.
When to use it
Fairly formal; often used in news reports and legal contexts rather than casual speech.
Common pairings
a heated altercation
get into an altercation
physical altercation
Word Forms
altercations plural
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Etymology
Borrowed from Latin altercatio, a term for a heated verbal dispute.