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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disputing
One of Meta’s attorneys, Paul Schmidt, said in his opening statement that the company is not disputing that KGM experienced mental health struggles, but rather disputing that Instagram played a substantial factor in those struggles.
—
Barbara Ortutay, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Separately, the American Academy of Pediatrics last week argued before a federal judge that the upcoming ACIP meeting should be delayed as part of its larger suit disputing the legitimacy of vaccine policy changes made by Kennedy.
—Chelsea Cirruzzo, STAT, 18 Feb. 2026
One of Meta's attorneys, Paul Schmidt, said in his opening statement that the company is not disputing that KGM experienced mental health struggles, but rather that Instagram played a substantial factor in those struggles.
—ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
The case against the three men has now been dismissed, and the acting director of ICE said two agents have been placed on leave and are being investigated for lying under oath after video evidence surfaced disputing their claims.
—Esme Murphy, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
However, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office is disputing the clip to Fox News Digital, citing the department is unaware of any reports of a ski mask being found.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 12 Feb. 2026
Nobody is disputing the fact that Everton and McNeil were not informed of what was happening until after the window had closed.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Foley is strongly disputing Healey’s claim that the state tipped off the feds to the latest food assistance fraud.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Local governments have been disputing those figures.
—Jeff Amy, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Barbara Ortutay, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Separately, the American Academy of Pediatrics last week argued before a federal judge that the upcoming ACIP meeting should be delayed as part of its larger suit disputing the legitimacy of vaccine policy changes made by Kennedy.
—Chelsea Cirruzzo, STAT, 18 Feb. 2026
One of Meta's attorneys, Paul Schmidt, said in his opening statement that the company is not disputing that KGM experienced mental health struggles, but rather that Instagram played a substantial factor in those struggles.
—ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
The case against the three men has now been dismissed, and the acting director of ICE said two agents have been placed on leave and are being investigated for lying under oath after video evidence surfaced disputing their claims.
—Esme Murphy, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
However, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office is disputing the clip to Fox News Digital, citing the department is unaware of any reports of a ski mask being found.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 12 Feb. 2026
Nobody is disputing the fact that Everton and McNeil were not informed of what was happening until after the window had closed.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Foley is strongly disputing Healey’s claim that the state tipped off the feds to the latest food assistance fraud.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Local governments have been disputing those figures.
—Jeff Amy, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disputing
Verb
-
Public speakers echoed those concerns, questioning the district’s transparency and warning that additional reductions would further strain school communities.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Now, members of Congress have another shot at questioning Wexner, who is 88 years old.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Her grandparents are constantly bickering, worn down by the pressures of keeping the family hotel afloat.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The choice not to pick a team has left fans bickering with each other.—
Mike Sullivan,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The state’s Republican governor, Henry McMaster, and major GOP candidates to replace him have largely framed their responses to the measles outbreak around the concept of medical freedom, particularly when discussing vaccine mandates.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The culmination of these benefits and services has earned Smile Hair Clinic international healthcare accreditation and exposure in European press discussing medical tourism and aesthetic procedures in Turkey.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Performing Under Pressure in Milan At the 2026 Games, Gu is the lone female freeskier contesting all three freestyle events.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Paxton’s office is contesting the boundaries of the district and wants the land tied to The Meadow development removed.—
Nick Wooten,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The group sued top Missouri state officials and lawmakers in October, arguing the ballot measure, called Amendment 4, misled voters by burying its true intent — the direct democracy overhaul — under other bullet points.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The government defended the tariffs as legitimate responses to national security concerns and unfair trade practices, arguing that Congress had clearly intended to give presidents latitude to act swiftly.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The union is actively in talks with city staff as of Thursday and is debating a recent offer.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The announcement was made Wednesday at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where leading tech executives, government officials and AI researchers are debating how to use AI to solve real-world problems.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Arsenal is challenging for the titl while Tottenham — under new coach Igor Tudor — is in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Kent Smetters, faculty director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model, is challenging the narrative that tariffs are a tool for protecting domestic industry.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In 2017, the 48-year-old former boxing champion retired from professional prize fighting undefeated at 50-0.—
Matt Schubert,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Being positive, for me, means fighting against suffering and anger.—
Gaby Wood,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disputing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disputing. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
