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
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Federal and state laws carve out specific protections designed to ensure that delinquent borrowers can meet their basic living expenses, even in the middle of a debt dispute.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Sydney Lake, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
This can include help to contact creditors, placing fraud alerts, disputing unauthorized accounts and preparing documentation to recover your identity.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Noun
However, the dispute drew national attention and helped cement Ticketmaster’s reputation among critics as a gatekeeper to major concert venues.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Federal and state laws carve out specific protections designed to ensure that delinquent borrowers can meet their basic living expenses, even in the middle of a debt dispute.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
Thai Union disputed those claims during the bankruptcy.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
This can include help to contact creditors, placing fraud alerts, disputing unauthorized accounts and preparing documentation to recover your identity.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute
Noun
-
The massive road project, decades in planning, has been enveloped in controversy even before getting underway.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
-
In August 2022, 10 miners died when the El Pinabete coal mine in Coahuila flooded — a disaster that sparked intense controversy by revealing how many Mexican laborers work without essential safety protections or official supervision.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This disagreement became our favorite quarrel.—
Elisa Wouk Almino
Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Department of Defense’s quarrel with the Anthropic began after the company refused to back down over contractual guardrails around the use of its Claude AI model in autonomous weapons and mass surveillance.—
Devan Cole,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Still, some critics have questioned the role of law enforcement on school campuses, particularly in secondary schools, raising concerns that such programs can feel more like surveillance than support.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The hidden cost of going back to school Students are increasingly questioning the value proposition of higher education.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At the time of the invite, Congress was furiously bickering over a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill, as Democrats refused to allocate funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Pointing to elk heads mounted on the wall, the two jokingly bickered over who had bowhunted which.—
Jessica Mathews,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Pop culture depictions of school shootings have often stoked controversy, with many viewers debating the line between storytelling and sensitivity.—
Saba Hamedy,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
-
As lawmakers debate, business owners like him remain worried about getting served with lawsuit papers.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 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
-
Security broke up the altercation, but the fight resumed outside in the parking lot, prompting security at UWM Sports Complex to call the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.—
Alysia Burgio,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
In the video, recorded by Mortensen on his cellphone, Paul can be seen screaming and throwing metal chairs, one of which struck one of her children who witnessed the altercation, according to the criminal indictment.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Angels challenged a successful steal by Hoerner in the sixth, but the call was upheld.—
Jay Cohen,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Some two dozen states already challenged the new tariffs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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