1
as in controversy
variance of opinion on a matter
a dispute over the proper pronunciation of "nuclear"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in quarrel
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
after much dispute, the school committee decided that all backpacks would have to be stored in lockers during class hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to question
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of
a whole slew of relatives eager to dispute his claim to being the sole heir
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bicker
to express different opinions about something often angrily
hometown fans disputing with visiting fans over which had the better team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to debate
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion
in an extended session the city council disputed the need for a new high school
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dispute
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 June 2025
The redistricting dispute is one of several the high court has been confronted with in recent years, and more continue to make their way to the justices.
—June 27, CBS News, 27 June 2025
Miami Herald, 27 June 2025
Hegseth's news conference came amid a full-court press from Trump's top officials disputing a preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment that said the bombings may have only set Iran's nuclear program back by a few months.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Noun
The dispute revives tensions between the objectors’ firm, MoloLamken LP, and the attorneys representing the House plaintiffs—Winston & Strawn’s Jeffrey Kessler and Hagens Berman’s Steve Berman—over the historic antitrust settlement.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 June 2025
The redistricting dispute is one of several the high court has been confronted with in recent years, and more continue to make their way to the justices.
—June 27, CBS News, 27 June 2025
Verb
The umpires immediately cautioned both benches, which didn’t go over well with Marlins manager Clayton McCullough, who disputed the decision and was ejected.
—Miami Herald, 27 June 2025
Hegseth's news conference came amid a full-court press from Trump's top officials disputing a preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment that said the bombings may have only set Iran's nuclear program back by a few months.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute
Noun
-
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner revealed what has changed in Formula 1 over his 20 years in the sport amid the sport's drama and controversies.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
The original, shot by Bryce Anderson, drew a lot of attention and controversy, with many critiquing the image as a provocative and degrading towards women.—
Thania Garcia,
Variety,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
The quarrel exploded Thursday, leading to a public back and forth on X, formerly Twitter.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
-
This was just one of many quarrels between the two that grew more frequent.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The network of community leaders and officials all questioned the administration’s determination that Haiti is now safe enough for people to return.—
Churchill Ndonwie,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
-
Interest Rates: While speaking at an event in Portugal Tuesday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell was questioned about the timing of an interest rate cut.—
Catherine Brock,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
In 2012, surviving members of the Beach Boys reunited for a 50th anniversary album, which quickly hit the Top 10 before the group again bickered and separated.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 June 2025
-
Vance memes, framing the vice president as the troubled child of bickering parents.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
The Senate continues to debate the bill before sending it back to the House.—
Jay O'Brien,
ABC News,
30 June 2025
-
The extent of the damage to Tehran’s nuclear program has been hotly debated ever since.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Jake is a single father who has brought Kristen up in the severe Calvinist tradition, marked by Bible disputations of Talmudic intricacy and by a radical detachment from secular and popular culture.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2023
-
Seven decades later, this culture of disputation emerged as a central theme in Timothy Garton Ash’s The Magic Lantern, his eyewitness report on the Eastern European revolutions of 1989.—
Susie Linfield,
The New York Review of Books,
11 May 2022
Noun
-
At Monday’s arraignment, when prosecutors revealed the details of the altercation, a judge ordered Horsman to be held without bail.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
30 June 2025
-
In a now-viral recording of the altercation posted to Reddit, Perry is seen grabbing the other passenger's hair.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Howl’s top revenue drivers challenge conventional wisdom about what sells in the creator economy.—
Yola Robert,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
-
Whether Congress can successfully challenge Trump’s unilateral show of military force — something it is technically obliged to do under the Constitution — remains to be seen.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share