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
Gene Maddaus, Variety, 27 Mar. 2026
At home, the villagers are disturbed when settlers start to encroach on their land, but after one of the elders is shot and killed during a dispute with their new neighbors, the British side violently with the settlers.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026
Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Her lawyer said Cherfilus-McCormick disputes the allegations and the report.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Noun
If management was unwilling to accept the latest offer or negotiate based on it, the WGSU suggested that the dispute could be submitted for binding arbitration at the California State Mediation and Conciliation Service or to the American Arbitration Association.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 27 Mar. 2026
At home, the villagers are disturbed when settlers start to encroach on their land, but after one of the elders is shot and killed during a dispute with their new neighbors, the British side violently with the settlers.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
Barzee throughout the proceedings disputed the allegations that Cherfilus-McCormick violated House ethics rules or participated in a campaign finance scheme.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Her lawyer said Cherfilus-McCormick disputes the allegations and the report.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute
Noun
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Fundraising for the project through private donations also drew controversy.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The controversy surrounding the North Natomas micro-community comes amid a heated re-election campaign for Councilmember Lisa Kaplan, who represents the area.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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My quarrel is not with the science of LNG itself.—
Joel McPherson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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If someone invokes these rights, police are supposed to stop questioning them immediately.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Quinn says investigators questioned his story.—
Lauren Clark,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Jenna is frustrated at his lack of seriousness, and Daisy wishes her department would stop bickering for once.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Against the backdrop of an island honeymoon, the two men clash and bicker before gradually uncovering an unexpected bond in this emotional dramedy.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The name-changing process Burbank Unified set up committees to debate the topic, first to decide whether there should be a name change, and then what the new name should be.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
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Instead of debating calls for hours, fans get a clear answer almost instantly.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
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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Brockton man charged after allegedly shooting at officers Jailson Andrade, 44, faces several charges after allegedly firing at Brockton Police officers during an altercation early Sunday morning, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
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The pair have been in physical altercations in the past, including Manning's 2012 arrest for allegedly punching, scratching, kicking and choking Hartman – whom media outlets have referred to as Manning's former make-up artist and assistant – and slamming her head against the floor and wall.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Pittsburgh challenged for goaltender interference but was unsuccessful.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Courtesy Safa Sefidgari Last year, the couple joined a group lawsuit challenging the administration’s travel ban.—
Alicia Victoria Lozano,
NBC news,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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