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
Patrick Smith, NBC news, 23 Jan. 2026
Then there’s the ongoing dispute over raises for city employees.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
The Department of Homeland Security disputes a Minnesota school district's claims that ICE agents used a 5-year-old boy as bait before taking the boy and his father into custody Wednesday.
—CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Noun
This horrific violence will not shake my belief in the importance of peacefully resolving disputes.
—Patrick Smith, NBC news, 23 Jan. 2026
Then there’s the ongoing dispute over raises for city employees.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
Washburne disputed that figure.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
The Department of Homeland Security disputes a Minnesota school district's claims that ICE agents used a 5-year-old boy as bait before taking the boy and his father into custody Wednesday.
—CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute
Noun
-
The quality of the NFL’s officiating has become one of the sport's most persistent controversies, with fans, players and coaches regularly questioning calls that can determine the outcome of games.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Hunn himself became the focus of controversy in 2022 when, less than a year into his contract, the CalOptima board raised his pay by 50% to an annual $841,500.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But by agreeing to disagree on these ideological quarrels, negotiators could manage to find ways to prevent them from triggering unnecessary crises.—
Mohammad Javad Zarif,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Dec. 2025
-
Police said the quarrel escalated when a 39-year-old man pulled out a gun and shot the victim twice.—
Natalie McMillan,
CBS News,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The agency added that one individual is being questioned as the investigation continues.—
Hunter Geisel,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Friends question her sanity and stability, and Helen loses herself further inside her mounting grief.—
Adam Graham,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The showing had to be aborted after a few shocking scenes of bandmates bickering and Fat Mike blasting lines of cocaine.—
Jim Ruland,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
-
The actors jokingly bickered about their history with the ceremony, with Cheadle remarking that Clooney hadn’t won since 2026 winner Timothée Chalamet was 3 years old.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While sleep is seen across the animal kingdom, its purpose is still debated.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Jan. 2026
-
How to watch Texas senate candidates debate The one-hour debate is hosted by Nexstar Media Group, which owns KXAN.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Jan. 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
-
No one was injured during the altercations.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Continue reading … STORMY SEAS – Miami standout's brilliant two-touchdown game overshadowed by postgame altercation.—
,
FOXNews.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And then to not be able to get folks in is challenging.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The find, made by scientists at Waseda University and Tohoku University in Japan, challenges long-standing theories and suggests that the key physical processes operating in the young cosmos remain poorly understood.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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