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
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Recent Examples of dispute
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
The dispute is scheduled to be argued at a June 10 hearing.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 28 May 2026
Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
But Alana Greer, an attorney and director of the Community Justice Project, a nonprofit legal organization that has opposed 287 (g) and local immigration enforcements, disputes Castillo’s explanation.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Noun
The launch also reflects China’s broader push to strengthen domestic energy resilience as import-dependent economies face continued risks from shipping disruptions, sanctions disputes, and instability across global oil markets.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
The dispute is scheduled to be argued at a June 10 hearing.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 28 May 2026
Verb
The president has alleged that mail ballots — such as those used by the majority of California voters — are a particularly rich source of voter fraud, despite again having no basis for the claim and it being disputed by experts.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
But Alana Greer, an attorney and director of the Community Justice Project, a nonprofit legal organization that has opposed 287 (g) and local immigration enforcements, disputes Castillo’s explanation.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute
Noun
-
Mullin is keeping them Noem had a host of controversies before her ouster.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
-
The act has caused controversy.—
Sarah Shephard,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Rounding out the top five names were seven write-in votes for the Sacramento Capitals or Capitols — which could be nicknamed the Caps to avoid quarrels over the spelling — and six votes for the Sacramento Stingers or Sting, referencing the collegiate Sacramento State Hornets.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2026
-
In May 2024, Jose Siri tried swinging at Uribe during a dugout-clearing quarrel.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Trump frequently questioned Joe Biden's fitness.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
-
Some questioned how handing out reprints of an editorial published in the ADA’s own journal, at the ADA’s own annual conference, could be construed as a violation of that code.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
While things have calmed over the years, the siblings still bicker and often disagree.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
-
While the concrete cured, the starting eight matches of the first-ever World Cup were relocated to Pocitos and Gran Parque Central, the home grounds of capital rivals Peñarol and Nacional, who'd been bickering since their first meeting in July 1900.—
Paul Jebara,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
The zoo’s petition cites several objections to data centers that have been hotly debated nationwide, including their impact on electricity and water resources.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
-
The world is still debating whether this is a short-term disruption while farmers are already being forced to make decisions today that will have consequences next year.—
John W.H. Denton AO,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
This did not, however, mark the end of disputation concerning the Northwest Angle.—
Scott Spires,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
19 Mar. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
The Grammy winner’s Ring camera caught the altercation when her private security intervened and tried to get Applegate to leave.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
-
The altercation allegedly led to a brief fight in which the granddaughter is accused of pulling on one of the kids' hair before being separated.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
And Mullin, a 48-year-old former Republican senator from Oklahoma and former mixed martial arts fighter, is also known for fiery exchanges with congressional committees, once challenging a Teamsters leader during a 2023 hearing.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
-
Across the campus, 30 artists have created an array of site-specific permanent works on a scale that would even be challenging for a leading contemporary art institution.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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