altercation
Translation
altercation, noisy argument, heated dispute
Examples
He was involved in an altercation with a police officer.
He was involved in an altercation with a police officer.
The argument quickly turned into a physical altercation.
The argument quickly turned into a physical altercation.
Grammar Patterns
an altercation ((with sb.)) ((over sth.)) a noisy argument with someone about something He had an altercation with his neighbor over the fence.
Similar Words
Synonyms: argument, quarrel, dispute; Antonyms: agreement, harmony
Etymology
From Latin 'alter' (other). It refers to a dispute with an 'other' person.
Memory Tips
Think of 'alter-cation' as an 'alter-action' – an action against another person, which helps to remember it's a conflict.