altercation
A noisy, heated, and public argument or disagreement, typically between individuals. It often implies a brief but intense verbal exchange that may occasionally escalate into physical contact.
Examples
3 of 5A brief altercation broke out between the two drivers following the minor fender bender.
A short, loud argument occurred between the two motorists after the small car accident.
The security footage captured the verbal altercation that preceded the suspect's removal from the premises.
The surveillance video recorded the spoken dispute that happened before the suspect was taken off the property.
I almost got into an altercation with a guy at the concert who kept pushing into me.
I nearly had a shouting match with a man at the show who wouldn't stop bumping into me.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'alter' which means 'other'. An altercation is what happens when you have a loud problem with an 'other' person.
Quick Quiz
The referee had to separate the players after a physical _______ broke out on the field.
Correct!
The correct answer is: altercation
Examples
A brief altercation broke out between the two drivers following the minor fender bender.
everydayA short, loud argument occurred between the two motorists after the small car accident.
The security footage captured the verbal altercation that preceded the suspect's removal from the premises.
formalThe surveillance video recorded the spoken dispute that happened before the suspect was taken off the property.
I almost got into an altercation with a guy at the concert who kept pushing into me.
informalI nearly had a shouting match with a man at the show who wouldn't stop bumping into me.
Researchers observed that instances of public altercation increased significantly during periods of extreme heat.
academicScholars noted that cases of public quarreling rose noticeably during very hot weather.
The HR department intervened after a heated altercation occurred between the project managers during the board meeting.
businessThe human resources office stepped in after a sharp disagreement happened between the leaders during the executive session.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
involved in an altercation
participating in a loud public dispute
lead to an altercation
to result in a heated argument
avoid an altercation
to prevent a potential argument from happening
Often Confused With
An alteration is a change or modification to something, whereas an altercation is a noisy argument.
An affray is a specific legal term for a group fight in a public place that causes terror, while an altercation is more general and often just verbal.
Usage Notes
The word is most commonly used in news reports, legal contexts, or formal descriptions of public disturbances. It is stronger than 'disagreement' but usually less severe than a 'riot' or 'brawl'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misspell it as 'alteration' because the words look similar. Additionally, learners sometimes use it to describe a long-term conflict, but it usually refers to a specific, short-lived incident.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'alter' which means 'other'. An altercation is what happens when you have a loud problem with an 'other' person.
Word Origin
From the Latin 'altercare' (to wrangle or dispute with another), derived from 'alter' (other).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In American and British English, this term is frequently used by police spokespeople and journalists to describe street fights or public disputes without assigning immediate blame.
Quick Quiz
The referee had to separate the players after a physical _______ broke out on the field.
Correct!
The correct answer is: altercation
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
example
A1An example is a specific thing or person that shows what a group or a rule is like. It is used to help explain something more clearly so that others can understand it easily.
always
A1This word describes something that happens at all times or on every occasion. It is a frequency adverb used to talk about habits, permanent truths, or repeated actions.
result
A1A result is something that happens or exists because of something else that happened before. It is often used to describe the final score of a game, the grade on a test, or the outcome of a specific action.
reason
A1A reason is a cause or explanation for why something happens or why someone does something. It is the information that answers the question 'Why?'.
research
A1A detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a (new) understanding. It involves gathering facts and data to test a theory or solve a problem.
girl
A1A female child or a young female person from birth until she reaches adulthood. It is also commonly used to refer to a daughter or, in informal settings, to a young woman.
food
A1Food refers to any substance consumed by living organisms to provide nutritional support for the body. It can be of plant, animal, or fungal origin and contains essential nutrients like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
moment
A1A very short period of time or a specific point in time. It is often used to ask someone to wait briefly or to describe a significant event occurring right now.
himself
A1A reflexive pronoun used as the object of a verb or preposition when the subject is a male person or animal previously mentioned. It is also used to emphasize that a specific man or boy did something personally or without help.
force
A1Force is the physical strength or energy that is used to push or pull an object. It can also refer to an organized group of people, such as the police or a military group.
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