dispute

verb

dis·pute | \ di-ˈspyüt

disputed; disputing

Definition of dispute

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to engage in argument : debate especially : to argue irritably or with irritating persistence

transitive verb

1a : 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.

2a : to struggle against : oppose disputed the advance of the invaders

b : to contend over disputing ownership of the land

dispute

noun

dis·pute | \ di-ˈspyüt

, ˈdis-ˌpyüt

Definition of dispute (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : verbal controversy : debate a dispute about what to do with the surplus a landlord-tenant dispute legal disputes The matter is still in dispute.

b : quarrel Police were called to a domestic dispute.

2 obsolete : physical combat

Other Words from dispute Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about dispute

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Other Words from dispute

Verb

disputable \ di-ˈspyü-tə-bəl

, ˈdis-pyə- \ adjective

disputably \ -blē

\ adverb

disputer noun

Examples of dispute in a Sentence

Verb

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

Noun

They could not settle their dispute. There is a labor dispute between workers and management. The two farmers are involved in a land dispute.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Few dispute the notion that waste represents an enormous cost to the food industry. — Caitlin Dewey, latimes.com, "This start-up can make avocados last twice as long before going bad," 19 June 2018 In a statement, the Food Marketing Institute, which represents retailers, also disputed the notion that grocery stores target ads to SNAP recipients. — Caitlin Dewey, chicagotribune.com, "Soda ad blitzes conspicuously match food stamp schedules, study says," 7 June 2018 Shafir disputes the notion that her district is prioritizing international teachers over U.S. citizens. — Andrew Craft, Fox News, "School districts increasingly hiring foreign teachers to fill shortages," 14 May 2018 In recent months, Engler has drawn headlines for making a controversial statement about ESPN and for offering $250,000 to a Nassar survivor during a meeting — a characterization Engler has disputed. — Joe Guillen, Detroit Free Press, "John Engler involved in MSU misstep, emails show," 8 June 2018 Mike Giammarino, president and CEO of Lombardi's Pizza, shown, isn’t entirely disputing the findings of the Chicago researcher. — Charles Passy, WSJ, "Historian Challenges Lombardi’s Pizza Primacy," 15 Feb. 2019 And a few, including my former editor at Car and Driver, the great Csaba Csere, disputed my estimate that my fuel costs would be on the order of a penny per mile. — Dan Neil, WSJ, "A Solar-Powered Dream Home, With the Electric Vehicle to Match," 31 Jan. 2019 While Kelly had disputed the accusations, a new lawsuit is once again calling his actions into question. — Britni Danielle, Essence.com, "A Woman Is Suing R. Kelly For Sexual Assault And False Imprisonment," 23 May 2018 In October, the hanging death of Dayne Jones, the son of a prominent Ferguson, Missouri, activist, fueled accusations that the young man was lynched, though local police have disputed that characterization of the crime. — P.r. Lockhart, Vox, "By passing the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act this week, the Senate acknowledged its role in decades of racial terrorism.," 21 Dec. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Still, uncertainty remains over how the U.S. and China will resolve their costly trade dispute and how a slowing global economy will affect corporate profits as companies begin to report results for the first quarter next month. — Elaine Kurtenbach, The Seattle Times, "Asian shares mixed following rebound on Wall Street," 26 Mar. 2019 But marketers often take their disputes to the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau, as AT&T did over 5G ads from Verizon Communications . — Nat Ives, WSJ, "MillerCoors Sues Anheuser-Busch Over Bud Light’s Corn Syrup Ads," 22 Mar. 2019 The company announced the news on Monday, blaming a dispute between investors for the move. — James Vincent, The Verge, "Hyped AR startup Blippar crashes into financial reality," 18 Dec. 2018 The Lehmans finally fall out, over the dispute between risk and responsibility. — Demetrios Matheou, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Lehman Trilogy': Theater Review," 13 July 2018 Unfortunately, this isn't the first time the Recording Academy had faced a dispute with a musician. — Nicole Saunders, Harper's BAZAAR, "Ariana Grande Is Reportedly Not Attending the Grammys Because She Was "Insulted" by Producers," 7 Feb. 2019 The town and UConn are currently engaged in an assessment dispute for the parcel. — Mikaela Porter, courant.com, "Malloy Says Financial Tech Company Will Relocate To Former UConn Campus In West Hartford," 3 July 2018 Dowd resigned as Trump's lead lawyer weeks later amid a dispute over how to answer Mueller's request for a presidential interview. — Samuel Chamberlain, Fox News, "Mueller told Trump legal team a presidential subpoena could be possible, ex-attorney says," 2 Oct. 2018 Getting to that point had been a rocky road, as Grant’s three children and their stepmother, Stacy Grant, became embroiled in a legal dispute over the farm. — BostonGlobe.com, "With family grown apart, historic farm is in the middle," 13 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dispute.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

27 Mar 2019

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The first known use of dispute was in the 13th century

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More Definitions for dispute

dispute

verb

English Language Learners Definition of dispute

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to say or show that (something) may not be true, correct, or legal

: to argue about (something)

formal : to fight in order to take control of (something)

dispute

noun

English Language Learners Definition of dispute (Entry 2 of 2)

: a disagreement or argument

See the full definition for dispute in the English Language Learners Dictionary

dispute

verb

dis·pute | \ di-ˈspyüt

disputed; disputing

Kids Definition of dispute

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to question or deny the truth or rightness of No one ever disputed the story.

2 : argue sense 1 The boys disputed over who won the race.

3 : to fight over The two nations disputed the territory.

dispute

noun

Kids Definition of dispute (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : debate entry 1 sense 3 It is a fact beyond dispute.

2 : quarrel entry 1 sense 1

dispute

verb

dis·pute | \ di-ˈspyüt

disputed; disputing

Legal Definition of dispute

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to engage in a dispute disputing with management over contract terms

transitive verb

: 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

noun

Legal Definition of dispute (Entry 2 of 2)

: an assertion of opposing views or claims : a disagreement as to rights especially : one that is the subject of proceedings for resolution (as arbitration)