Definition

Adjective: 1. Inclined to argue or fight; easily provoked to conflict: Describes a person who frequently engages in arguments, disputes, or bickering, often over trivial matters. 2. Contentious or belligerent in nature: Characterized by a readiness to quarrel or a disposition toward hostility.

Usage and Examples

• General Use: Used to describe a person's temperament or behavior.
  • The quarrelsome neighbor would argue about the property line every weekend.
  • He became increasingly quarrelsome when he was tired or stressed.
• Descriptive Use: Can describe a mood, atmosphere, or period.
  • The debate created a quarrelsome atmosphere in the meeting room.
  • It was a quarrelsome period in the nation's political history.

Advanced Usage

• "to be of a quarrelsome disposition": To have a personality naturally inclined to arguing.
  • He was known to be of a quarrelsome disposition, which made teamwork difficult.
• Used in formal or literary contexts to describe factions or groups.
  • The council was divided into several quarrelsome factions.

Variants and Related Words

• Quarrelsomely (adverb): In a quarrelsome manner.
  • He replied quarrelsomely to the simple question.
• Quarrelsomeness (noun): The state or quality of being quarrelsome.
  • His constant quarrelsomeness eventually led to his isolation.

Synonyms

• Argumentative: Fond of or given to arguing.
• Contentious: Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial, or (of a person) inclined to argue.
• Belligerent: Hostile and aggressive.
• Combative: Ready or eager to fight or argue.
• Pugnacious: Eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight.

Antonyms

• Amiable: Having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner.
• Agreeable: Enjoyable and pleasurable; pleasant, or (of a person) willing to agree to something.
• Peaceable: Inclined to avoid conflict or dissent.
• Conciliatory: Intended or likely to placate or pacify.

Idioms and Phrases

• While there is no common idiom using the exact word "quarrelsome," the concept is often expressed in phrases like:
  • To have a short fuse: To be easily angered and prone to arguing or fighting.
  • To be looking for a fight: To behave in a way that is deliberately provocative and likely to start an argument or conflict.

Adjective

1. given to quarreling
   • arguing children
   • quarrelsome when drinking