disputed; disputing
: to engage in argument : debate
especially
: to argue irritably or with irritating persistence
1
a
: to make the subject of verbal controversy or disputation
Legislators hotly disputed the bill.
b
: to call into question or cast doubt upon
Her honesty was never disputed.
The witness disputed the defendant's claim.
2
a
: to struggle against : oppose
disputed the advance of the invaders
b
: to contend over
disputing ownership of the land
disputer
noun
Examples of dispute in a Sentence
You can dispute your bill if you believe it is inaccurate.
These estimates are hotly disputed by scientists.
No one ever disputed that it was the right decision.
The source of the text has been disputed for centuries.
a part of the city where two drug gangs are disputing territory
Recent Examples on the Web
Sogoyan and Novak dispute the characterization.
—
Max Kutner, HollywoodReporter, 7 June 2026
Reading these conversations feels like attending a party at which each new guest talks over the one before, disputing and undermining, gossiping and bringing into doubt the fundamental purpose of their coming together.
—Joe Dunthorne, The New York Review of Books, 6 June 2026
But Beatty disputed that assertion about ex officio voting rights, as did Kaiser.
—Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
Three years later, that is difficult to dispute.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Max Kutner, HollywoodReporter, 7 June 2026
Reading these conversations feels like attending a party at which each new guest talks over the one before, disputing and undermining, gossiping and bringing into doubt the fundamental purpose of their coming together.
—Joe Dunthorne, The New York Review of Books, 6 June 2026
But Beatty disputed that assertion about ex officio voting rights, as did Kaiser.
—Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
Three years later, that is difficult to dispute.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispute. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dispute
2 of 2 noun1
2
: an angry difference of opinion : quarrel
Legal Definition
dispute
1 of 2 verb
dis·pute
di-ˈspyüt 
disputed; disputing
: to engage in a dispute
disputing with management over contract terms
: to engage in a dispute over
disputing the correct application of the contract provision
especially
: to oppose by argument or assertion
disputed changes to the grievance procedure
dispute
2 of 2 noun
: an assertion of opposing views or claims : a disagreement as to rights
especially
: one that is the subject of proceedings for resolution (as arbitration)
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