Definition

A loud and angry argument or disagreement between people.

Example

The altercation between the two neighbors escalated quickly, drawing the attention of others.

Conversation

Did you hear about the altercation at the café yesterday?

Yeah, I saw it online! It looked pretty intense.

I can't believe they got into such a heated argument over nothing.

Right? It’s crazy how quickly things can escalate like that.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Altercation → It is formed from "alter" (from Latin "alterare", meaning to change) and "-cation" (from Latin "catio", a suffix indicating an action or process). The word refers to the action of changing or altering a situation, often leading to a dispute or argument.

Memory Tip

Think of 'alter' meaning to change, and picture a situation that has changed into a disagreement — that's what an altercation is.

Visually Confused Words