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
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
Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
The phone rang with requests for help with divorces, small business disputes, estate planning, and criminal defense.
—William Jones, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025
President Samia Suluhu Hassan was reelected last month, but the vote was marred by violence — widespread protests were met with bloody crackdowns, reportedly killing 800, although the government disputed the figure.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Noun
As for Fair Havens specifically, multiple workers said they weren’t initially told which residents had COVID-19, or given the proper PPE (a claim Fair Havens disputes).
—Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
The phone rang with requests for help with divorces, small business disputes, estate planning, and criminal defense.
—William Jones, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
Trump has been pressuring the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates, and his tariffs provide Democrats with a tangible point to blame him for the rising cost of living, even if their actual effect on prices overall is somewhat disputed.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025
President Samia Suluhu Hassan was reelected last month, but the vote was marred by violence — widespread protests were met with bloody crackdowns, reportedly killing 800, although the government disputed the figure.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute
Noun
-
The season follows two Baird College students who have rekindled a tumultuous romance, but past actions and a controversy get in the way of their best intentions.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
12 Nov. 2025
-
The Senate vote to temporarily reopen the government sparked intense controversy within the Democratic Party, as a small group of its senators joined Republicans in backing a deal that did not guarantee the extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, a key Democratic priority.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Margolick devotes much space to the writers’ quarrels, their gripes, their resentment of one another.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Marta and Antonio, partners of many years, quarrel and suddenly break up.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Leaders must analyze complex data, question AI outputs and make ethical decisions amid rapid change.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
10 Nov. 2025
-
In September 2025, TCC Chief Financial Officer Pamela Anglin questioned the drastic drop in votes allotted.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The prosecutor told jurors that Flores had been bickering with and mocking the man, who was heavily restrained and moving slowly, while escorting him to a courthouse holding cell after the man had a court hearing last August.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The pair bicker and bond their way through the whimsical Panda Kingdom, a vibrant world that blends the everyday with the extraordinary, carrying animals and humans alike into something at once magical and mundane.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This phenomenon has long been debated in theory, but now the impact can be observed directly across a large population of stars.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
-
At a conference in 1969, when other physicists were debating the very existence of gravitational waves, Weber presented evidence supporting their direct detection.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
7 Nov. 2025
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
-
In 2017, Charles, who played for the New York Knicks from 1988 to 1998, was asked to leave the arena after an altercation with a security guard.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
-
After the teens exited the vehicle, a physical altercation ensued.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But when asked about the duo, McKillop elected to talk about the entire backcourt, making play-time decisions challenging this early in the season with a brand new roster.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Nov. 2025
-
By failing to challenge India’s support for an autocratic regime, the United States inadvertently opened the door for China.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share