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
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Recent Examples of dispute
Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
Qatar has established itself as a pivotal mediator in conflicts between Western powers and their adversaries, facilitating negotiations with groups such as the Taliban and Hamas in complex disputes.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
However, his attorney, Christopher Frost, issued a statement via a spokesperson, portraying his client as the unwitting mark of both Mauriss and Robinson—a characterization both of those men would strongly dispute.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Noun
Riley Keough replaced previously attached Kristen Stewart in the project, which follows an American delegation traveling to Russia during the Ukrainian war to try finding a solution to an economic dispute.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
Qatar has established itself as a pivotal mediator in conflicts between Western powers and their adversaries, facilitating negotiations with groups such as the Taliban and Hamas in complex disputes.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
This stance was opposed by some Indian politicians, who accused the Adani Group of relying on Indian nationalism to dispute the allegations.
—Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
However, his attorney, Christopher Frost, issued a statement via a spokesperson, portraying his client as the unwitting mark of both Mauriss and Robinson—a characterization both of those men would strongly dispute.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute
Noun
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The post adds fuel to the ongoing controversy surrounding Kimmel’s reinstatement, which followed backlash over his comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
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Disney is hiking the price of its subscription streaming service — and the timing couldn’t be more awkward, given the controversy surrounding the media giant’s handling of Jimmy Kimmel this past week.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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However, lovers’ quarrels or difficulty dealing with children (hissy fits or meltdowns) might occur.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
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The outcome of that long-simmering family quarrel is never really in much doubt, but there are still a few neat surprises involving a couple of rare bottles of whiskey and the fate of two family businesses.—
Stephen Farber,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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He's questioned his online presence, fearful of feeding the habits of those struggling with screen addiction.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
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Fireworks spouted directly beyond the stage where the president and others spoke, which had online critics questioning the need for them.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Other witnesses indicated that the shooter was a third person who entered the fight between Runnels and Collins’ nephew after the two had already started to bicker, according to court records.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
22 Sep. 2025
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Communists and socialists bickered over doctrine and orthodoxy.—
Kornel Chang
September 19,
Literary Hub,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While the family debates on what is the most culturally appropriate mourning ritual, Russia begins its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, turning their lives upside down.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
20 Sep. 2025
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Every few months, after Kirk would return from his travels, the two would meet for a coffee, spending anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours debating.—
Shawn Raymundo,
AZCentral.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
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According to him, advances in machine learning have yanked questions once trapped inside theological/philosophical disputations into corporate board packs.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Aug. 2025
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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
Noun
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Perhaps most shocking and sycophantic is an appearance by Chris Rock in Ye’s dressing room after the altercation.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
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Considering DiSandro was fined $100,000 and banned from the Eagles' sideline for the rest of the regular season for his altercation with Greenlaw, some might say the NFL took it easy on him this time.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ultimately, Sonder aims to challenge narrow definitions of masculinity by presenting a spectrum of intimacy and tension, and by highlighting its fluidity.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
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Moreover, winds from the southeast at 6 km/h may challenge players’ speed control on approach shots and putts.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
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