as in controversial
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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
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2
as in bickered
to express different opinions about something often angrily
hometown fans disputing with visiting fans over which had the better team
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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
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Recent Examples of disputed
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Jan. 2026
Diplomatic relations stagnate, Greenland is quietly regarded as a disputed zone, and foreign investment stalls as uncertainty rises.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Cambodia was awarded sovereignty over the disputed area, including the 1,000-year-old Preah Vihear temple, in 1962 by the International Court of Justice.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 11 Jan. 2026
The disputed 2024 presidential election ignited nationwide protests and a sweeping government crackdown.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
Myanmar’s military rulers claim lead in disputed poll Myanmar’s military rulers claimed to have dominated the first phase of national elections widely dismissed as a sham but which were nevertheless notable for China’s growing role.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Beijing has also in recent years presided over a policy of relocating villages to fortify or in some cases expand its claim along disputed boundaries.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 17 Dec. 2025
Several years later, in 2010, the detention of a Chinese fisherman by Japanese forces in disputed water caused a temporary embargo on rare earth exports, something Japanese industry is heavily reliant on.
—Kerry Brown, Time, 28 Nov. 2025
The blast has rattled nerves in India, which almost went to war with its neighbor and fellow nuclear power, Pakistan, over an April terrorist attack in the disputed region of Kashmir that killed 26 people, mostly Indian tourists.
—Jay Ganglani, NBC news, 11 Nov. 2025
David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 26 Jan. 2026
Colombo disputed claims from federal authorities that Wedding had been in hiding out in Mexico.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
After Grishuk and Platov, another Russian couple placed second, and a French couple third (one of the French skaters, Gwendal Peizerat, disputed that the scores were prearranged).
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
But bystander videos quickly disputed that claim.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
Federal officials claimed Good tried to weaponize her vehicle, but that account has been fiercely disputed by both local officials and Good's family.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
Local officials have disputed that characterization.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2026
Criticism has increased around Bovino in the last few days after his public defense of the Pretti shooting and disputed claims about the confrontation that led to his death.
—Steve Karnowski, Twin Cities, 26 Jan. 2026
Ramsey disputed that characterization.
—Thomas Bordeaux, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
City Council documents said the disputed portion of the property falls completely outside Willow Park’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Jan. 2026
Diplomatic relations stagnate, Greenland is quietly regarded as a disputed zone, and foreign investment stalls as uncertainty rises.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Cambodia was awarded sovereignty over the disputed area, including the 1,000-year-old Preah Vihear temple, in 1962 by the International Court of Justice.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 11 Jan. 2026
The disputed 2024 presidential election ignited nationwide protests and a sweeping government crackdown.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
Myanmar’s military rulers claim lead in disputed poll Myanmar’s military rulers claimed to have dominated the first phase of national elections widely dismissed as a sham but which were nevertheless notable for China’s growing role.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Beijing has also in recent years presided over a policy of relocating villages to fortify or in some cases expand its claim along disputed boundaries.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 17 Dec. 2025
Several years later, in 2010, the detention of a Chinese fisherman by Japanese forces in disputed water caused a temporary embargo on rare earth exports, something Japanese industry is heavily reliant on.
—Kerry Brown, Time, 28 Nov. 2025
The blast has rattled nerves in India, which almost went to war with its neighbor and fellow nuclear power, Pakistan, over an April terrorist attack in the disputed region of Kashmir that killed 26 people, mostly Indian tourists.
—Jay Ganglani, NBC news, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
Noem accused Pretti of being a domestic terrorist and brandishing a weapon before he was shot, a claim disputed by bystander footage of the incident.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 26 Jan. 2026
Colombo disputed claims from federal authorities that Wedding had been in hiding out in Mexico.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
After Grishuk and Platov, another Russian couple placed second, and a French couple third (one of the French skaters, Gwendal Peizerat, disputed that the scores were prearranged).
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
But bystander videos quickly disputed that claim.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
Federal officials claimed Good tried to weaponize her vehicle, but that account has been fiercely disputed by both local officials and Good's family.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
Local officials have disputed that characterization.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2026
Criticism has increased around Bovino in the last few days after his public defense of the Pretti shooting and disputed claims about the confrontation that led to his death.
—Steve Karnowski, Twin Cities, 26 Jan. 2026
Ramsey disputed that characterization.
—Thomas Bordeaux, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disputed
Adjective
-
Some figures indicated that iPhone users were still avoiding upgrading despite this risk, citing multiple bugs and the controversial Liquid Glass as a reason for staying on an insecure operating system version.—
Kate O'Flaherty,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
At times, the process was controversial as there were a lot of differing opinions about the content.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Prosecutors also heavily questioned Banfield's statements on Thursday, particularly in light of his romantic affair with Magalhães that began in the months before his wife's death and continued afterward.—
OLIVIA DIAZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
-
An independent doctor was appointed to examine the defendant and return with a report after Ellis questioned whether Dao’s vegetative state was an act.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The actors jokingly bickered about their history with the ceremony, with Cheadle remarking that Clooney hadn’t won since 2026 winner Timothée Chalamet was 3 years old.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
11 Jan. 2026
-
On 33 occasions since 2017, Congress has been forced to pass emergency extensions to the flood insurance program, as lawmakers bickered over budgets and looming shutdowns threatened to disrupt it, according to a letter the National Association of Realtors sent to Congress ahead of the shutdown.—
Rukmini Callimachi,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Responsibility is still debated after harm has occurred.—
The AI Insider,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
-
While sleep is seen across the animal kingdom, its purpose is still debated.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
While an injury study may be inconclusive, what is conclusive is that despite some pleas to not add games, the schedule will grow.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Prosecutors rejected those findings as inconclusive.—
Gregory Royal Pratt,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
On July 30, the comptroller challenged the Panama Ports Company’s contract to operate the ports before the Supreme Court.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The Fulton County episode and Hanaway’s lawsuit underscore the broader national debate over how elections are conducted, counted, and challenged.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Konyndyk argued that mortality data won’t reflect many adverse outcomes of the aid cuts, because humanitarians and aid recipients are frantically reallocating funds; for example, taking money away from education to put it towards food.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Clean-power investment from the Gulf — and particularly from Saudi Arabia and the UAE — into Africa is surging, but could have even greater impact were it targeted more towards power infrastructure, a new report argued.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But the dueling announcements appear to put to rest — for now — two prominently discussed stadium locations in Kansas and Missouri as the team weighs its future home after its lease expires in 2031.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Lawmakers have discussed the effect of the threatening political climate on their ability to hold town halls and public events, with some even citing it in their decisions not to seek reelection.—
Michael Biesecker,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disputed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disputed. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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