DISPUTE Synonyms: 159 Similar and Opposite Words

dispute 1 of 2

noun

di-ˈspyüt

Definition of dispute

as in controversy

variance of opinion on a matter a dispute over the proper pronunciation of "nuclear"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

dispute

2 of 2

verb

di-ˈspyüt

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

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

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

Noun

Legal issues in speech and removal from game Central to the dispute is whether the Sky had sufficient grounds to toss Kanter. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Sep. 2026 That puts the onus on Hal, the ostensible hero, to protect the innocent from the explosive fallout of an interplanetary dispute that has nothing to do with them. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026

Verb

During a Tuesday night press briefing, Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman stated that the officer and Smith exchanged gunfire near North 38th and West Wright streets − a claim the family is disputing after reviewing body camera footage. — April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2026 Spotting one in traffic is considered good luck by many Angelenos, a theory Angelyne has heard before and does not dispute. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dispute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute

Noun

Max weathered various controversies in his personal and professional life.

— BETH J. HARPAZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
Decades of friendship, including that with Sholem, were undone in the controversy.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of controversy

Verb

Three people associated with the box truck were initially detained and taken to DeLand Police headquarters for questioning but were later released and not charged, the release stated.

— Keily Alfonzo, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
That victory made the Myanmar native a champion questioned by some, but Van legitimized his reign by prevailing in a grueling battle against Tatsuro Taira last May, stopping his challenger in the final round.

— Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of question

Verb

While the boys bicker over stickball rules, old-timers Keith Hernandez, Willie Randolph and Tom Seaver argue from a stoop.

— Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Kimmel and Damon then bicker over who has a rightful paternal claim to the child, culminating in a pitch-perfect spoof of Maury featuring Short as Povich.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of bicker

Verb

The role of intention in determining claims of genocide is fiercely debated.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Shortly after the explosions at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, media archives show there was a mix of public reassurance, worry, and debate over international nuclear governance.

— J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of debate

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

Definition of disputation

Noun

Tchouameni and Valverde were involved in two separate altercations, a day apart, in May, with the latter taken to hospital to undergo assessments after sustaining a head injury during the second incident.

— Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs pleaded no contest Thursday to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property stemming from a May altercation with his girlfriend.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of altercation

Verb

Habeas corpus, which allows a defendant to challenge the legality of their imprisonment, is among several mechanisms for release, some of which depend on a detainee’s location.

— Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
Macklemore has pledged to donate $1 million in net earnings from the tour to organizations supporting Palestinians and publicly challenged Kraft to match the contribution.

— Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2026