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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
The disputed ending of the AFCON tournament took another turn yesterday as Morocco was declared champions over Senegal, which was stripped of its title after walking off the pitch during the match.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 18 Mar. 2026
After the disputed 2009 presidential election, in which an apparent reformist victory was thwarted, the streets became the only outlet for dissent.
—Karl Vick, Time, 28 Feb. 2026
Late Thursday night the Taliban’s military launched attacks on Pakistani positions along some sections of their porous and disputed border that wends 1,600 miles through rugged mountains and desert.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately, after the disputed election of 1876, political support for Black voting rights collapsed, and Republicans withdrew military troops from the South.
—Jeffrey Rosen, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 2026
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
Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 May 2026
Laws concerning how police obtain search warrants are complex and often disputed in criminal cases.
—Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Some early claims were also disputed or withdrawn, adding to the scrutiny surrounding the issue.
—Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 16 May 2026
Though its origins are disputed, artists from across the world have adopted the aesthetic, offering creative takes that go from hyperrealistic to surreal to playful and bright.
—Diana Tsui, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
That number was heavily disputed by housing analysts.
—Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026
Aurora previously sought a recount after the 2020 decennial census showed the city had a population of around 180,000, down from 197,000 in 2010 — numbers that city officials have disputed, arguing that the city’s population is actually closer to the levels found in the 2010 census.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
The topic of Taiwan, a democratic island whose independence is disputed by China, is a top concern of Xi.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 11 May 2026
The extent of the spill was disputed Sunday by the government of Trinidad and Tobago, which said only 10 barrels were spilled and it was contained the same day it was detected May 1.
—ABC News, 10 May 2026
Adjective
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
The disputed ending of the AFCON tournament took another turn yesterday as Morocco was declared champions over Senegal, which was stripped of its title after walking off the pitch during the match.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 18 Mar. 2026
After the disputed 2009 presidential election, in which an apparent reformist victory was thwarted, the streets became the only outlet for dissent.
—Karl Vick, Time, 28 Feb. 2026
Late Thursday night the Taliban’s military launched attacks on Pakistani positions along some sections of their porous and disputed border that wends 1,600 miles through rugged mountains and desert.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately, after the disputed election of 1876, political support for Black voting rights collapsed, and Republicans withdrew military troops from the South.
—Jeffrey Rosen, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
However, Samsung's workers' union disputed the impact of the strikes, saying in a statement that previous production pauses had occurred for equipment inspection, maintenance and process adjustments.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 May 2026
Laws concerning how police obtain search warrants are complex and often disputed in criminal cases.
—Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Some early claims were also disputed or withdrawn, adding to the scrutiny surrounding the issue.
—Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 16 May 2026
Though its origins are disputed, artists from across the world have adopted the aesthetic, offering creative takes that go from hyperrealistic to surreal to playful and bright.
—Diana Tsui, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
That number was heavily disputed by housing analysts.
—Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026
Aurora previously sought a recount after the 2020 decennial census showed the city had a population of around 180,000, down from 197,000 in 2010 — numbers that city officials have disputed, arguing that the city’s population is actually closer to the levels found in the 2010 census.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
The topic of Taiwan, a democratic island whose independence is disputed by China, is a top concern of Xi.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 11 May 2026
The extent of the spill was disputed Sunday by the government of Trinidad and Tobago, which said only 10 barrels were spilled and it was contained the same day it was detected May 1.
—ABC News, 10 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disputed
Adjective
-
By then, Leonard Jeffries was one of the most controversial college professors in the country.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
In his typical spare and deliberate style, Romanian director Cristian Mungiu has crafted yet another Palme d’Or-worthy film that fearlessly treads into controversial issues in our society but pointedly doesn’t take sides.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
For years, athletes and parents who questioned transgender participation in women’s sports were often labeled transphobic.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
Lawmakers at a recent hearing backed up clean energy advocates’ proposal, and questioned why the state would end a successful program in favor of one that has produced less energy capacity or has yet to be created.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The video went viral, and the two eventually bickered about it on social media later Sunday night.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
-
My parents bickered constantly, my sister was demanding and always in a conflict with them, and my grandparents would scream at each other.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
For four hours, the group of artists laughed, drank, and debated their position in the rapidly shifting cultural landscape.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
18 May 2026
-
Ted would tell authorities a story that would be discussed and debated for years.—
Erin Moriarty,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
The research on small, frequent meals for weight loss is more inconclusive.—
Caitlin Beale,
Health,
19 May 2026
-
When analyzing a struggling hitter, sometimes a quick peek into the Statcast data will yield inconclusive or conflicting information.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Creeden’s attorney, Andino Reynal, challenged Stapp’s testimony that the union’s constitution requires expenses to be approved by the international president and the secretary-treasurer.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
15 May 2026
-
The friend threw a glass bottle at Sowells, who then pulled out a sharp object and challenged him to a fight.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Rusak argued that runoffs favor Paxton because base voters with the strongest attachment to candidates turn out at higher rates, while casual primary voters often skip the second round.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 May 2026
-
McElmurry argued that no convincing motive was established for why Castillo would permit the beating, and sought to reframe the text message as his client soberly describing that he was being blamed for the attack.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The pitcher and his coaches discussed focusing on previously successful drills and keys in his delivery as possible solutions to his struggles.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
Ratcliffe met with Rodríguez Castro, Interior Minister Lázaro Álvarez Casas and the head of Cuban intelligence services, and discussed intelligence cooperation, economic stability and security issues.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disputed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disputed. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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