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
Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
In January, lawyers for Ammel’s ex-wife requested that the case be heard in federal court rather than the state court, because the dispute involves a former member of Congress.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
In its filing, the CDA disputes that argument.
—Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Noun
Sesame’s lawsuit traces the dispute to 2022, saying SeaWorld’s owner failed to pay millions of dollars in royalties due to Sesame Workshop for Sesame Place, a theme park in Langhorne, Pennsylvania.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
In January, lawyers for Ammel’s ex-wife requested that the case be heard in federal court rather than the state court, because the dispute involves a former member of Congress.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
White House officials disputed that finding.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
In its filing, the CDA disputes that argument.
—Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute
Noun
-
Throughout the campaign, Conyears-Ervin deflected from her controversies by framing herself as a scrappy politician who is the right candidate to defend the district’s most vulnerable residents.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
As her audience has grown, so too have the controversies that define her brand.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Two men were hospitalized early Sunday after a quarrel turned into a shootout on the 79th Street Red Line platform along the Dan Ryan Expressway.—
Dylan Olsen,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Herro posted a photo of that autographed Durant jersey on his Instagram on Sunday, acknowledging his respect for Durant hours after Saturday’s quarrel.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
However, that conclusion has been questioned by some critics.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Obscuring the title of the organization also caused few to question why the Democrat’s name had replaced that of baseball great Roberto Clemente, who was killed in a 1972 plane crash when flying to Nicaragua to deliver aid to earthquake victims.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Jokic and Oklahoma City’s players had bothered each other and bickered all night.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Her grandparents are constantly bickering, worn down by the pressures of keeping the family hotel afloat.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
To think that some Filipinos were forever debating her looks!—
Han Ong,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Captain Antoine Dupont debated with referee Nika Amashukeli where the penalty spots were.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Video released by the department showed two women in prison outfits in a physical altercation.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
York and the man later appeared to find their way to a parking garage area as the altercation continues, per the footage released by TMZ.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Because college football players can’t unionize and bargain rules, anti-tampering and other prohibitions aren’t exempt from antitrust scrutiny and can be challenged as unreasonable restraints on trade and price-fixing schemes.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Record highs may be challenged in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13, with temperatures near 90 degrees, AccuWeather said.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
