1
as in controversy
variance of opinion on a matter
a dispute over the proper pronunciation of "nuclear"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in quarrel
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
after much dispute, the school committee decided that all backpacks would have to be stored in lockers during class hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to question
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of
a whole slew of relatives eager to dispute his claim to being the sole heir
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bicker
to express different opinions about something often angrily
hometown fans disputing with visiting fans over which had the better team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to debate
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion
in an extended session the city council disputed the need for a new high school
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dispute
Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
This firsthand legal dispute inspired her to become an advocate for female inventors, educating others on the importance of filing for IP protection.
ForbesWomen: Get the ForbesWomen newsletter, and supercharge your mission with success stories, tips and more.
—Karin Eldor, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
Advisers to then-Vice President Mike Pence dispute that an invitation was never offered.
—Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for dispute 
Noun
This is because a dispute would result in the donation amount being withdrawn from the campaign's balance, in addition to a $15 dispute fee.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
This firsthand legal dispute inspired her to become an advocate for female inventors, educating others on the importance of filing for IP protection.
ForbesWomen: Get the ForbesWomen newsletter, and supercharge your mission with success stories, tips and more.
—Karin Eldor, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
McAfee has disputed that Raw Farm's milk could have infected the cats with bird flu, citing preliminary research.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
Advisers to then-Vice President Mike Pence dispute that an invitation was never offered.
—Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for dispute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute
Noun
-
The controversy surrounding Emilia Perez comes in stark contrast to the positive reception of Wicked.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
-
Whatever the controversy, these Thanksgiving stories will slake your appetite!JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The heads of corporate branding cook up a brief, a design firm answers with a litany of slides, and, after iterations, interventions, and internal quarrels, the sign arrives in the physical plane, with glossy acrylic letterforms and antiseptic light.Laura Preston, The New Yorker, 15 July 2024
-
The key is to keep communication clear and avoid overreacting to petty quarrels and misunderstandings.Valerie Mesa, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Shares of the company traded 1.4% higher on Thursday morning. Strategy in focus BP has underperformed its European rivals of late as energy market participants continue to question the firm’s investment case.Sam Meredith, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2025
-
Consumers today are increasingly focused on what's in their food, moving beyond taste and aesthetics to question the purpose and safety of each ingredient.Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The pair grow up frequently bickering with each other but begin dating in high school—only to end their relationship on bad terms when Seok Ji-won abruptly leaves town with his family.Regina Kim, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
-
The sellers are Lydia (Lisa Kudrow) and Paul (Ray Romano), bickering empty nesters saddled with financial woes and a dark secret.Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Legislators spent actual time debating the cannibalism bill.Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 10 Jan. 2025
-
Judge strikes down Biden Title IX expansion: Amber & Lynda debate Amber Duke and Lynda Tran weigh in the federal judges decision to block President Biden’s rule expanding Title IX.The Hill, The Hill, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Jake is a single father who has brought Kristen up in the severe Calvinist tradition, marked by Bible disputations of Talmudic intricacy and by a radical detachment from secular and popular culture.Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2023
-
And yet there is one aspect of the book which was notable: a disputation of the Richard Wrangham's work in Demonic Males.Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2013
Noun
-
Following the altercation, the woman’s mother stormed out of the room, leaving the family divided on who was right in the situation.Ashley Vega, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025
-
When an altercation erupted between a rioter and a Capitol Police officer, the document said, Roe — with the pitchfork in his right hand — moved forward and pushed the officer with his left hand.Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
And the new rules will almost certainly be challenged in court.Noam N. Levey, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
-
While its scientific basis has been challenged, community members compare some of his teachings to modern health practices that may have benefits, such as intermittent fasting or vegetarianism.Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near dispute
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share