dispute

verb dis·pute \ di-ˈspyüt \

|Updated on: 18 Jul 2018

Examples: dispute in a Sentence

Definition of dispute

disputed; disputing

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

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

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disputable

play \di-ˈspyü-tə-bəl, ˈdis-pyə-\ adjective

—

disputably

play \-blē\ adverb

—

disputer

noun

See dispute defined for English-language learners

See dispute defined for kids

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 of dispute from the Web

Flynt, now 75, doesn’t entirely dispute that interpretation.

— Cincinnati Enquirer, "Read more from this Project," 13 July 2018
On the positive side, no one can dispute the exposure to college coaches the travel landscape provides.

— pat disabato, Daily Southtown, "Disabato: As travel schedules continue to expand, high school baseball teams feeling the summer squeeze," 13 July 2018
Local officials in some far-flung municipalities dispute that figure, and say that some mountain communities are still struggling with an unreliable grid.

— NBC News, "U.S. plans to remove backup power generators in Puerto Rico. Officials worry it's hurricane season.," 11 July 2018
Four years later, James’s loyalties to Cleveland can’t be disputed.

— alex wong, The Atlantic, "What’s Different About LeBron’s Move to the Lakers," 4 July 2018
Currently, Disney is disputing the values for some of its properties over several tax years in Orange County.

— gabrielle russon, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Disney wins tax trial over Yacht and Beach Club Resort's value," 3 July 2018
The paper was hotly disputed, including by those at the water authority.

— joshua emerson smith, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego's efforts to divest from rival L.A. water agency have driven up rates for residents. Is it worth it?," 1 July 2018
The Lynd Company, which manages Auburn Creek, disputes many of Alshokri’s claims.

— richard webner, San Antonio Express-News, "Refugees flee war-torn homelands for deteriorating apartment complexes in S.A.," 30 June 2018
In his ruling, Judge William Alsup didn’t dispute the science of climate change and in fact the oil companies—including BP, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Shell, and ConocoPhillips—don’t either.

— jackie flynn mogensen, WIRED, "San Francisco vs. Big Oil: Climate Case Dismissed," 27 June 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.

Origin and Etymology of dispute

Middle English, from Anglo-French desputer, from Latin disputare to discuss, from dis- + putare to think

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

See Words from the same year

dispute Synonyms

Phrases

call in question (or into);

dispute

noun dis·pute \ di-ˈspyüt , ˈdis-ˌpyüt \

Definition of dispute

1 a : 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

See dispute defined for English-language learners

Examples of dispute in a Sentence

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 of dispute from the Web

In Slovenia, generally a Croatian ally but with a looming border dispute, hundreds of supporters are expected to travel to Croatia to join street viewing of the match on Sunday.

— Washington Post, "Mixed emotions in Balkans over Croatia’s World Cup success," 13 July 2018
Schellenger and the bicyclist got into a verbal dispute, during which the bicyclist pulled a large knife from a backpack and stabbed the developer once in the back, Ryan said.

— Philly.com, "Philadelphia developer stabbed to death near Rittenhouse Square," 13 July 2018
In Slovenia, generally a Croatian ally but with a looming border dispute, hundreds of supporters are expected to travel to Croatia to join street viewing of the match on Sunday.

— jovana gec, Fox News, "Mixed emotions in Balkans over Croatia's World Cup success," 13 July 2018
As is often the case in these disputes, even the complaints seem to contradict each other.

— nestor ramos, BostonGlobe.com, "Weep not for Starbucks. But in the North End, what comes next?," 12 July 2018
The Trump administration raised the stakes in the growing trade dispute, threatening 10 percent tariffs on a list of $200 billion worth of Chinese imports, sending stocks lower and prompting Beijing to warn it would be forced to respond.

— NBC News, "China vows retaliation as U.S. ups trade war ante, threatens tariffs on $200 billion of goods," 11 July 2018
The United States, moreover, has done very well in WTO disputes, winning its cases over 80 percent of the time.

— alex shephard, The New Republic, "Why Trump Might Lose His Trade War With China," 9 July 2018
The sand squabble is hardly unusual in Del Mar, where attorneys representing wealthy property owners frequently face off over seawall disputes, land-use policies, dog-leash laws, and who gets free use of the community center.

— phil diehl, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Mansion owner taking sand squabble to ballot box," 4 July 2018
But, following his arrest, the complaint was amended to include two additional felony charges tied to events following the violent dispute with his wife: burglary of a building or dwelling and operating a motor vehicle without the owner's consent.

— jim riccioli, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Eagle man charged in violent dispute with wife, multi-state manhunt pleads not guilty," 29 June 2018

Origin and Etymology of dispute

see ¹dispute

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1555

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

dispute Synonyms

Synonyms

controversy, debate, difference, difficulty, disagreement, disputation, dissension (also dissention), firestorm;

Antonyms

accord, agreement, consensus, harmony, unanimity;

Near Antonyms

acceptance, compliance;

concord, peace;

combat, contention, strife, struggle;

altercation, argument, bicker, falling-out, fight, kickup, misunderstanding, quarrel, set-to;

DISPUTE Defined for English Language Learners

dispute

verb

Definition of dispute for English Language Learners

: to say or show that (something) may not be true, correct, or legal
: to argue about (something)
: to fight in order to take control of (something)

dispute

noun

Definition of dispute for English Language Learners

: a disagreement or argument

DISPUTE Defined for Kids

dispute

verb dis·pute \ di-ˈspyüt \

Definition of dispute for Students

disputed; disputing

1 : to question or deny the truth or rightness of

No one ever disputed the story.

2 : argue 1

The boys disputed over who won the race.

3 : to fight over

The two nations disputed the territory.

Word Root of dispute

The Latin word putāre, meaning “to think,” gives us the root put. Words from the Latin putāre have something to do with thinking. A reputation is what other people think about something or someone. To compute is to use math to think about a bunch of numbers together in order to answer a problem. To dispute is to argue because two or more people think different things.

dispute

noun

Definition of dispute for Students

1 : ¹debate 3

It is a fact beyond dispute.

2 : ¹quarrel 1

Law Dictionary

dispute

verb dis·pute \ di-ˈspyüt \

legal Definition of dispute

disputed; disputing

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

—

disputable

play \di-ˈspyü-tə-bəl, ˈdis-pyə-tə-bəl\ adjective

dispute

noun

legal Definition of dispute

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