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
Kate Bartlett, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025
In disputed territories, the drone’s ability to deliver real-time monitoring and rapid response capabilities could give operators a significant tactical advantage, reinforcing control over contested zones, the South China Morning Post writes.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2025
Palace’s first goal came from a corner — albeit a disputed one, given the final touch seemed to come off Tyrick Mitchell — as a back-post ball towards Marc Guehi forced a mistake from Ryan Gravenberch, whose misplaced header fell perfectly for Ismaila Sarr to score.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Washington’s nominee for ambassador to South Africa used his confirmation hearing to offer support for disputed claims that the country’s white minority was under attack.
—semafor.com, 24 Oct. 2025
The disputed money appears to surround Jay-Z’s music-streaming app Tidal, based on her support of tweets from Barbz referencing the app, as seen by Complex.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
How the court handles the disputed evidence—and whether federal agencies correct or stand by their initial narrative—could shape not only this prosecution but also the broader debate over the use of force and accountability in federal immigration enforcement operations in Chicago.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Arunachal Pradesh is a disputed region in the Himalayan mountains along the India-China border.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025
He was accused of harassing the troops, though O'Hara disputed the claim.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
The domestic violence case was dismissed and the theft charge had yet to be disputed in court.
—Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 9 Nov. 2025
The poll, conducted on behalf of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, shows Acton with a higher favorability among Ohio likely voters—including a potentially key 21-point advantage among independent voters—but Ramaswamy's campaign has disputed these results.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
The farm’s owners disputed the CFIA’s conclusions, arguing that the ostriches that survived the flu might offer disease-fighting antibodies for research – an idea that Kennedy endorsed in his letter to the CFIA in May after meeting with Canadian officials.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
The men who were present during the signing have not disputed the events or their signatures.
—Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
An attorney for the woman disputed Exum’s account, arguing that releasing the vehicle before defense lawyers could inspect it may have led to the destruction of potentially favorable evidence.
—James Hill, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
Backing White South Africans South African officials have long disputed claims that Afrikaners are victims of racial persecution.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Tanzania is one of several African countries to hold disputed elections this year that have resulted in unrest.
—Kate Bartlett, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025
In disputed territories, the drone’s ability to deliver real-time monitoring and rapid response capabilities could give operators a significant tactical advantage, reinforcing control over contested zones, the South China Morning Post writes.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2025
Palace’s first goal came from a corner — albeit a disputed one, given the final touch seemed to come off Tyrick Mitchell — as a back-post ball towards Marc Guehi forced a mistake from Ryan Gravenberch, whose misplaced header fell perfectly for Ismaila Sarr to score.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Washington’s nominee for ambassador to South Africa used his confirmation hearing to offer support for disputed claims that the country’s white minority was under attack.
—semafor.com, 24 Oct. 2025
The disputed money appears to surround Jay-Z’s music-streaming app Tidal, based on her support of tweets from Barbz referencing the app, as seen by Complex.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
How the court handles the disputed evidence—and whether federal agencies correct or stand by their initial narrative—could shape not only this prosecution but also the broader debate over the use of force and accountability in federal immigration enforcement operations in Chicago.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Arunachal Pradesh is a disputed region in the Himalayan mountains along the India-China border.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025
He was accused of harassing the troops, though O'Hara disputed the claim.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
The domestic violence case was dismissed and the theft charge had yet to be disputed in court.
—Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 9 Nov. 2025
The poll, conducted on behalf of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, shows Acton with a higher favorability among Ohio likely voters—including a potentially key 21-point advantage among independent voters—but Ramaswamy's campaign has disputed these results.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
The farm’s owners disputed the CFIA’s conclusions, arguing that the ostriches that survived the flu might offer disease-fighting antibodies for research – an idea that Kennedy endorsed in his letter to the CFIA in May after meeting with Canadian officials.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
The men who were present during the signing have not disputed the events or their signatures.
—Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
An attorney for the woman disputed Exum’s account, arguing that releasing the vehicle before defense lawyers could inspect it may have led to the destruction of potentially favorable evidence.
—James Hill, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
Backing White South Africans South African officials have long disputed claims that Afrikaners are victims of racial persecution.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 2 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disputed
Adjective
-
This loss had to be especially tough for the Jayhawks, considering a controversial holding call on KU changed the momentum of the game.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Watson’s combination of scientific achievement and controversial remarks created a complicated legacy.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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When the deputy questioned Rustrian, the scuffle began, the source told CBS.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Stokes recently came under fire after several viral social media posts questioned her legal qualifications and reported connection to Second Chance Services, a mental health and addiction clinic in Charlotte.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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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
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In recent years, the companies have bickered about the rise of streaming services, in which the media companies are investing billions of dollars and which lure away cable and satellite customers.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But as the roiling controversy shows, that characterization is hotly debated – and Suharto’s legacy is anything but straightforward.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
-
For decades, scientists have debated the origin of Earth's water.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Ehrhart, the Tesla general counsel, said a separate shareholder proposal to encourage Tesla to invest in Musk’s xAI was inconclusive.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
6 Nov. 2025
-
While the supplements are often sold as memory-boosting, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says that the evidence on ginkgo’s health benefits is inconclusive at best.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But a couple of decades later, the rise of big-box retailers that boasted lower prices, like Walmart and Target, challenged that supremacy.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
-
His bold approach has challenged both fans and music executives to see artists through a new lens.—
Evan Burke,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Cotton argued the shutdown’s cause was not the expiring health care subsidies, but rather Democrats’ fear of blowback from their supporters.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Nardin argued for a change in the mindset that automatically favors large-scale production of a single product.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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For example, as part of its agreement with OpenAI, Nvidia has reportedly discussed guaranteeing loans the startup would use to build its own data centers—a move that could leave the chipmaker on the hook for billions in debt if OpenAI can’t repay.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
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Beyond Tuesday’s news, here’s a look at what else happened recently that has already given the trial shape — from who will be called to the witness stand, to which financial disclosures will be discussed, to the likelihood of a settlement.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disputed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disputed. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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