dispute

verb

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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

, ˈdi-ˌspyüt

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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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 Iran’s military, in its initial admission early Saturday, said the flight’s crew had taken a sharp, unexpected turn that brought it near a sensitive military base — an assertion that was immediately disputed by the Ukrainians. — New York Times, "Furor in Iran and Abroad After Tehran Admits Downing Ukrainian Jetliner," 11 Jan. 2020 Iran’s military, in its initial admission early Saturday, said the flight’s crew had taken a sharp, unexpected turn that brought it near a sensitive military base — an assertion that was immediately disputed by the Ukrainians. — Anton Troianovski, BostonGlobe.com, "Furor in Iran and abroad after Tehran admits downing Ukrainian jetliner," 11 Jan. 2020 The claim Dlamini resisted arrest was disputed by the witness who took the video. — Washington Post, "SAfrican cyclist left with broken arm after park incident," 28 Dec. 2019 NBC News has not independently verified The Intercept's reporting, which is not disputed by the Bloomberg campaign. — NBC News, "Bloomberg cuts ties with company using prison inmates to make campaign calls," 24 Dec. 2019 The numbers, based on Chicago Police Department data, have been backed up by several other studies and are not disputed by the city. — Jeff Coen, chicagotribune.com, "Should the city of Chicago have to pay $44 million for a shooting involving an off-duty police officer? Federal judges set to rule," 12 Dec. 2019 But the study was disputed by Wanna-Nakamura, along with CPSC's health sciences staff, and attacked by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, a trade group that represents the mostly small companies that make crib bumpers. — Anchorage Daily News, "Dozens of infant deaths have been tied to a popular baby product. But regulators are too paralyzed to act.," 24 Nov. 2019 Nine members of a prominent Mormon family in northern Mexico, all women and children, were gunned down on Nov. 4 in territory whose control is disputed by the Sinaloa Cartel and the La Linea militia. — Rebecca Janzen, The Conversation, "Mormons in Mexico: A brief history of polygamy, cartel violence and faith," 6 Nov. 2019 His conclusion — that no prosecution was warranted in the circumstances — was never disputed by anyone. — Jim Geraghty, National Review, "The Last Trusted Prosecutor in Washington," 4 Nov. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Officials said Villaronga stabbed Ayer resident Jonathan Merritt in the chest during a domestic dispute inside her Gorton School Road apartment around 1:20 p.m. on Sept. 28. — Abigail Feldman, BostonGlobe.com, "Ayer woman sentenced for fatally stabbing cousin," 6 Jan. 2020 Colton Shane Sims, 26, was first admitted to hospital Dec. 14 after being shot during a domestic dispute in north Baldwin County. — Christopher Harress | Charress@al.com, al, "Baldwin Co. man accused of Mobile hospital assault also facing attempted murder charge," 27 Dec. 2019 Hotel staff had called 911 to report that Mosley was unruly during a dispute over registration and a room key. — Detroit Free Press, "Pittsburgh-area official to face 2nd trial in Detroit," 20 Dec. 2019 Police noted having had prior noise complaints at one of the residences and the complainant in this latest report said her neighbor had been aggressive during the ongoing dispute. — Brian Lisik, cleveland, "Police investigate counterfeit bill passed at Speedway store: Brunswick Police Blotter," 15 Dec. 2019 In January 2016, a man accused of Broner of beating him and robbing him of $14,000 during a gambling dispute outside a Madisonville bowling alley. — Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati.com, "Documents: Boxer Adrien Broner connected to money laundering, drugs," 12 Dec. 2019 California police are searching for a woman accused of hitting a barber with her car — and then crashing it into a store — during a dispute over her son’s haircut. — Gabrielle Chung, PEOPLE.com, "Police Searching for California Mother Who Allegedly Rammed Her Car Into Barber Over Son's Haircut," 5 Dec. 2019 During the dispute over Babri Masjid, Ashis Nandy, a prominent Indian intellectual, began a series of interviews with R.S.S. members. — Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, "Blood and Soil in Narendra Modi’s India," 2 Dec. 2019 During the dispute, Gutierrez reportedly intervened and was shot by the 20-year-old man, who fled before officers arrived, according to police. — Mike Cruz, azcentral, "Phoenix police: Man arrested on suspicion of killing teen who intervened in dispute," 21 Nov. 2019

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

16 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Dispute.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispute. Accessed 22 January 2020.

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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)

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