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 Phrases Containing dispute Learn More About dispute

Other Words from dispute

Verb

disputable \ di-ˈspyü-tə-bəl

, ˈdi-spyə- \ adjective

disputably \ di-ˈspyü-tə-blē

, ˈdi-spyə- \ 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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The three agents do not dispute that Trump was furious that the agents would not take him to the Capitol. — Carol D. Leonnig, Washington Post, 1 July 2022 The three agents do not dispute that Trump was furious that the agents would not take him to the Capitol. — Isaac Arnsdorf, Josh Dawsey And Carol D. Leonnig, Anchorage Daily News, 1 July 2022 This perspective doesn’t dispute the power of clients’ feedback or input into your brand’s marketing messaging, which is absolutely required for an intentional strategy. — Brittany White, Forbes, 8 June 2022 Kelly Musslewhite, who left in 2021 after eight years, does not dispute Gifford’s gift-giving. — Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 May 2022 The government doesn't dispute that it's required by law to detain those immigrants. — John Fritze, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2022 The researchers don’t dispute the existence of such calorie-rich, meat-laden meals. — Jane Recker, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Apr. 2022 The Salt River Project, which bought the plant from a Canadian company in 2019, does not dispute that the people of Randolph have been treated unfairly. — Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2022 The Bronson administration on Wednesday continued to dispute that Centennial Park Campground is part of the city’s homelessness response — eliciting scorn from an East Anchorage Assembly member. — Emily Goodykoontz, Anchorage Daily News, 21 July 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The move, which ends all new business between the two companies, comes as the two sides are embroiled in a legal dispute over whether the degradation of paint on some jets represents a safety issue. — Benjamin Katz, WSJ, 3 Aug. 2022 Activision Blizzard and NetEase have canceled a joint World of Warcraft mobile game following a dispute over financial terms. — Jonathan Lee, Washington Post, 3 Aug. 2022 For the Teva deal to take effect, Allergan must reach its own nationwide opioid settlement, and the two companies must settle a dispute over the amount Allergan owes Teva for claims filed prior to the 2016 sale. — Reuters, CNN, 26 July 2022 The Michigan Supreme Court signaled Friday that there will be no summer decision in a high-stakes dispute over whether people convicted of crimes can be ordered to pay to keep the lights on and cover other operating costs in local courts. — Fox News, 22 July 2022 Now the dispute over Webb’s legacy has cast a shadow over his $10 billion namesake, especially among LGBTQ astronomers and space fans. — Wired, 22 July 2022 Supplies through Nord Stream were reduced before the maintenance shutdown due to a dispute over sanctions imposed to punish Russia for invading Ukraine. — Harold Maass, The Week, 21 July 2022 In December, the court moved a dispute over Biden's COVID-19 vaccine-or-testing requirements for large businesses from the emergency docket to the regular docket. — John Fritze, USA TODAY, 21 July 2022 The charges against Lloyd stemmed from a dispute over a home improvement job; county police said the sergeant was upset with a patio a contractor had built. — Darcy Costello, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2022 See More

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.

Learn More About dispute

Dictionary Entries Near dispute

disputative

dispute

disqualification

Statistics for dispute

Last Updated

6 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispute. Accessed 9 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for dispute

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)