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
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
What seems to be at the heart of this latest dispute is publishing royalties for digital exploitation, meaning online sales or streaming.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
Andrew Raine, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
Chicago Public Schools settled with two former Lincoln Park High School administrators last month, following a five-year legal battle that began after their 2020 firings based on claims that were eventually disputed.
—Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Noun
Of course, Harvard must also receive assurances that no further recrimination will follow and any disputes in the future about the deal will be resolved outside of the courts.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
What seems to be at the heart of this latest dispute is publishing royalties for digital exploitation, meaning online sales or streaming.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
Dissenting voices Twelve months after Maduro’s disputed victory in the presidential election – a vote in which the government did not publish a final vote count, and which prompted a vast international outcry – the government’s repressive machinery continues.
—Andrew Raine, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
Chicago Public Schools settled with two former Lincoln Park High School administrators last month, following a five-year legal battle that began after their 2020 firings based on claims that were eventually disputed.
—Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute
Noun
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The continuing controversy has prompted comments from many stars of Allen's films.—
Mekishana Pierre,
EW.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The Employee Retention Tax Credit also resulted in lots of new tax controversy work that didn’t exist before the credit was added with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The quarrel continued to escalate, spurring Ates to send the man his location.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
22 Aug. 2025
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After getting into a quarrel with the passenger, Millise stabbed him in the right torso and slashed the left side of his face with a knife.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Dozens of Department of Homeland Security and Metropolitan Police Department officers stood on the block between V and W streets to question passing drivers, while several protesters directed traffic away from the scene.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Aug. 2025
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For American politicians and intellectuals alike, criticizing Israel’s policies in Gaza and the West Bank or questioning America’s support for Israel has become dangerous, all too often incurring charges of antisemitism.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Not long ago, these militias’ tendency to bicker was mitigated by the deft orchestration of Soleimani.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
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During the squabble, Darcey and Georgi bickered about the communication issues impacting their relationship, leaving Georgi’s parents Ginka and Ivan concerned about how healthy their son’s relationship was.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The students in the club participated in National History Day, a competition where students present a topic of their interest, and the YMCA Youth and Government Program’s Model Legislative Session, where students debate bills at the Arizona Capitol.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Trials make disputes public, and jury trials allow citizens to debate the issues and return verdicts that reflect their community.—
Richard Lorren Jolly,
The Conversation,
5 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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The altercation was captured on CTA surveillance video and cellphone footage taken by the theft victim, according to court documents.—
Christy Gutowski,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
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However, after they were separated, Hicks ran after the women and retaliated, sparking a second altercation.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This particular finding presents a more nuanced framing of gun violence and challenges dominant narratives about Chicago’s violence that have plagued the city’s reputation for decades.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
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Under Vamosy, the agency challenges conventions, pushes boundaries, and sets a new standard for how brands interact with the world.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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