Synonyms of disputed

disputed 1 of 2

adjective

as in controversial

Related Words

• controversial
• debated
• inconclusive
• uncertain
• problematic
• disputable
• debatable
• refutable
• arguable
• moot
• speculative
• shaky
• contradictable
• questionable
• iffy
• dubious
• hypothetical
• ambiguous
• negotiable
• indecisive
• theoretical
• doubtful
• controvertible
• issuable
• academic
• doubtable
• equivocal

Dissimilar Words

• certain
• indisputable
• settled
• incontestable
• positive
• sure
• incontrovertible
• unquestionable
• undeniable
• unanswerable
• indubitable
• accomplished
• irrefragable
• unchallengeable
• unarguable
• irrefutable
• definite
• undebatable
• inarguable
• unequivocal
• conclusive
• questionless
• unambiguous
• decisive
• clear
• undisputed
• hands-down
• uncontested
• absolute

disputed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of dispute

1

as in questioned

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

• questioned
• challenged
• contested
• doubted
• queried
• protested
• impeached
• called in question
• oppugned
• opposed
• kicked (about)
• mistrusted
• resisted
• fought
• objected (to)
• combated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• believed
• accepted
• embraced
• defended
• swallowed
• supported
• backed
• advocated
• promoted
• championed
• tolerated
• endured
• abided
• stomached

2

as in bickered

to express different opinions about something often angrily

hometown fans disputing with visiting fans over which had the better team

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bickered
• argued
• fought
• quarreled
• clashed
• controverted
• debated
• squabbled
• quibbled
• brawled
• wrangled
• contested
• scrapped
• rowed
• discussed
• fell out
• locked horns
• jarred
• hassled
• butted heads
• altercated
• argufied
• tiffed
• mixed it up
• contended
• spatted
• brabbled
• challenged
• bandied words
• protested
• dared
• objected
• tangled
• defied
• nitpicked
• fussed
• considered
• kicked
• caviled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agreed
• accepted
• concurred
• consented
• coexisted
• got along
• assented

3

as in debated

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

• debated
• discussed
• argued
• reviewed
• canvassed
• mooted
• agitated
• bandied
• talked over
• raised
• considered
• spoke (about)
• hashed (over or out)
• batted (around or back and forth)
• propounded
• talked (about)
• introduced
• weighed
• broached
• stirred up
• forged
• thrashed (out)
• hammered out
• deliberated
• wrestled (with)
• talked out
• chewed over

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of disputed

Adjective

The British military maritime operations center said a tanker was attacked Tuesday in the disputed area. — Jane Arraf, NPR, 22 July 2026

For years, Washington refused to recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president after his disputed 2018 reelection and instead recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the country’s interim president. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026

Salisbury blamed delays in resolving cases in part on a 2021 law that mandates full trial boards in disputed misconduct complaints involving police officers, even for minor disciplinary infractions. — Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 1 July 2026

When the owner is gone and that information was never recorded anywhere, the asset does not become disputed. — Sergey Stopnevich, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, companies that furnish information to credit bureaus have a duty to investigate disputed information. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026

The Louisville Counter-Claim Here’s where the story gets genuinely interesting for anyone who loves a disputed first. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026

There was violence after the disputed 2025 reelection of 92-year-old Cameroonian President Paul Biya, who first came to power in 1982. — Mathew Schmalz, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026

After Thompson’s testimony, Muscolino called witnesses, which included city workers, who testified against George’s claim to owning the disputed roadway. — Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026

Verb

The pro-independence Polisario Front for decades has claimed to be the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people of the Western Sahara, disputed with Morocco. — CBS News, 30 July 2026

Shanon Gray, an attorney representing the family of victim Kaylee Goncalves, disputed the significance of the evidence. — Michael Ruiz , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026

Officials and organizers disputed responsibility for the violence and the number of people injured. — Penny Abeywardena, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Fauci also disputed early media reports of tension between him and the White House in the journal. — Sony Salzman, ABC News, 29 July 2026

The investigation alleged that UC Davis had lowered its standards to accept more Black students, a claim that the university disputed. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026

In a statement, a spokesperson for Paramount disputed O’Leary’s characterization. — Brent Lang, Variety, 29 July 2026

The impacts of aid cuts on global health have been disputed, but the Center for Global Development estimates that USAID cuts caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and fueled armed conflicts in Africa. — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 27 July 2026

In an email to the Statesman earlier this month, Labrador’s office disputed that statement. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 24 July 2026