"Bickering" vs. "squabble": how are they different?

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper Yesterday, 19:37

English.me team member

Bickering and squabble. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both "bickering" and "squabble" refer to minor, petty arguments, usually over unimportant matters and often between people who know each other well.

What is different?

"Bickering" is typically used as a verb or noun to describe ongoing, repetitive petty arguing, often implying a continuous back-and-forth. "Squabble" is usually used as a noun or verb for a single, brief, less serious argument or quarrel; it may sound a bit more childish or trivial.

Which one is more common?

Examples of usage

Bickering

The siblings were bickering over whose turn it was to take out the trash.
Despite the constant bickering, they cared deeply for each other.
Their bickering annoyed everyone else in the room.

Squabble

A squabble broke out between the children over the last cookie.
The politicians had a brief squabble during the debate.
They squabble over the TV remote every evening.