Bickering vs. squabble: what’s the difference?
The short answer
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.
What they have in common
Both bickering and squabble refer to minor, petty arguments, usually over unimportant matters and often between people who know each other well.
Examples
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 seat.
- The politicians had a brief squabble during the debate.
- They squabble over the TV remote every evening.
Which one is more common?
Spotted a mistake in this article? Tell us