cat fight
Scratching, hissing altercation
A catfight is a fight between women, typically involving scratching, hair-pulling, and screaming rather than punches.
The term carries sexist overtones, implying women fight like cats—all claws and hissing rather than serious combat.
It's often used to trivialize conflicts between women or, more salaciously, to describe staged fights meant to titillate: The argument devolved into a catfight.
Also spelled cat fight.
Reasoned case or dispute
- quarrelAngry verbal dispute
- bickeringPetty verbal sparring
- spatPetty verbal dispute
- altercationHeated verbal dispute
squabble · tiff · clash · row · scuffle · scrap · dust-up · shouting
Disgraceful public affair
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
spectacle · confrontation · public · viral · reality TV · tabloid · celebrity · messy
Animal gripping nails
- hissingSharp sss sound
- scratchingRaking with nails
- growlingDeep threatening vocalization
- pounceSudden attack leap
territorial · yowling · bite · swatting · arched back · spitting · tom · alley
Resentful desire for another's advantages
- envyResentful longing for another's
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- feudBitter ongoing rivalry
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
competition · tension · vying · grudge · bad blood · score-settling · one-upmanship · frenemies
argument
Reasoned case or dispute
altercation · squabble · tiff · clash · row · scuffle · scrap · dust-up · shouting · insults
scandal
Disgraceful public affair
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
intrigue · spectacle · confrontation · public · viral · reality TV · tabloid · celebrity · messy · explosive
claws
Animal gripping nails
- hissingSharp sss sound
- scratchingRaking with nails
- growlingDeep threatening vocalization
pounce · territorial · yowling · bite · swatting · arched back · spitting · tom · alley · nocturnal
jealousy
Resentful desire for another's advantages
hostility · competition · tension · vying · grudge · bad blood · score-settling · one-upmanship · frenemies · clique
- Animal Idiomsblind as a bat, brave as a lion, busy bee, copycat, dark horse
- nighttime disturbancesnoring, barking dog, car alarm, loud music, thunder
cat fightcivil discourse
Respectful exchange of views
diplomatic exchange · reasoned argument · parliamentary debate · academic discourse
cat fightcollaboration
Joint intellectual work
teamwork · harmony · cooperation · reconciliation · peace
cat, fight, cats, catty, catlike, catnip, catfish, fights, fighting