1
as in questioning
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bickering
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 discussing
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 disputing
After the lawsuit was filed in the Eastern District of New York, Saint Ann’s leaders sent a letter to the school community disputing the allegations.
—
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
Cha's representatives filed a pre-taxation review request formally disputing the findings.
—Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
But there’s no disputing his political success nationally.
—George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
The two safeguards are often in tension with one another, with different factions disputing which takes priority.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 23 Jan. 2026
However, Banijay is disputing Sony has the rights to distribute the books for screen, leading to a legal spat.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 16 Jan. 2026
In turn, disputing these accounts can help stop improper collection activity.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
Videos of the shooting are still emerging, and Minnesota officials are disputing the federal account of the incident while calling for greater transparency.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Many disputing the administration's claim.
—ABC News, 11 Jan. 2026
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
Cha's representatives filed a pre-taxation review request formally disputing the findings.
—Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
But there’s no disputing his political success nationally.
—George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
The two safeguards are often in tension with one another, with different factions disputing which takes priority.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 23 Jan. 2026
However, Banijay is disputing Sony has the rights to distribute the books for screen, leading to a legal spat.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 16 Jan. 2026
In turn, disputing these accounts can help stop improper collection activity.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
Videos of the shooting are still emerging, and Minnesota officials are disputing the federal account of the incident while calling for greater transparency.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Many disputing the administration's claim.
—ABC News, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disputing
Verb
-
The incident heightened national attention on aviation safety in 2025, with many people questioning whether flying was safe.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Online posts questioning the city’s account continued into the week, and protesters have kept returning to the Hyatt, banging pots and chanting in subfreezing temperatures.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Much of the comedy in this action-comedy arrives via barbed exchanges between the constantly bickering James and Jonny.—
Richard Kuipers,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The showing had to be aborted after a few shocking scenes of bandmates bickering and Fat Mike blasting lines of cocaine.—
Jim Ruland,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Goldis, the author of a Substack blog primarily discussing legal issues related to gender ideology, previously wrote under a pseudonym.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Ahead of Rotterdam, Janković talked to THR, via Zoom, about Home, the importance of discussing migration and sacrifice, getting her friends Trine Dyrholm and Claes Bang to join the film, and what’s next for her.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Additionally, reports surfaced that five jurors have since come forward contesting the hung jury, claiming that the jury had unanimously voted to acquit Read on two of the three charges, according to a motion published by WHDH and reviewed by PEOPLE.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
-
On that day the first game of football, with teams from two Georgia colleges contesting, will be played in the classic city.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors alleged the other crimes of violence were represented by two stalking charges, arguing Mangione stalked Thompson online and travelled across state lines to carry out the killing.—
Kara Scannell,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Prosecutors on Bragg’s case earlier this week urged the presiding judge to schedule trial to begin in July, before the federal case makes it before a jury, arguing local authorities first investigated and charged Mangione and should get to try him first.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This week, legislators will begin debating several of them.—
The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Those of us gathered in Davos were no longer debating whether AI will change the world and shape our collective futures; that is settled.—
Mark Minevich,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The case over access to the legal system was one of three federal lawsuits challenging practices at the immigration detention center.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
-
These conditions can make driving challenging, so exercise extreme caution on the road, and if possible, consider delaying your trip.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Graham, in particular, has been on a war path over the negotiations, accusing Republicans of not fighting hard enough to reclaim the narrative on immigration after the death of Alex Pretti last weekend.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Madison Square Garden has issued a statement warning that anyone fighting at the arena could face a lifetime ban after multiple brawls broke out during an event on Friday.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disputing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disputing. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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