1
as in controversy
variance of opinion on a matter
a dispute over the proper pronunciation of "nuclear"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in quarrel
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
after much dispute, the school committee decided that all backpacks would have to be stored in lockers during class hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to question
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bicker
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 to debate
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
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Recent Examples of dispute
Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Billing disputes, debt collections and other leading indicators of bankruptcy are also on the rise.
—Alain Sherter, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2025
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Glen Norris, Preston’s grandfather, has disputed the police’s statement that he was not properly secured in his car seat at the time of the crash.
—Rachel McRady, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Noun
Book dispute is one of three religious rights cases
The case is one of three religious rights cases the Supreme Court is deciding in the coming weeks, and appears likely to be part of a recent trend of the court siding with religious rights advocates.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Billing disputes, debt collections and other leading indicators of bankruptcy are also on the rise.
—Alain Sherter, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
However, that version of events has now been disputed with hard evidence.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Glen Norris, Preston’s grandfather, has disputed the police’s statement that he was not properly secured in his car seat at the time of the crash.
—Rachel McRady, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute
Noun
-
In December 2020 — shortly before Hilaria's heritage controversy emerged — Schumer posted some of Hilaria's family photos on her own Instagram page, later deleting them and apologizing to Hilaria, who spoke out about receiving negative comments.—
Benjamin VanHoose,
People.com,
7 May 2025
-
The new portraits were unveiled roughly one year after a portrait of King Charles by artist Jonathan Yeo was revealed at Buckingham Palace, stirring some controversy and debate for its strong imagery.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
7 May 2025
Noun
-
While Ringo tries to insist the fight is between him and Earp, Holliday says not so fast, sir, citing a quarrel earlier in the film.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2025
-
The aftermath of the quarrel was captured on video later posted to social media by Only In Dade.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
All the suspects are being questioned at police stations and have not been charged.—
Jill Lawless,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2025
-
And perhaps most notably, past remarks of Kennedy seem to question a causal relationship between HIV and AIDS.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
Verb
-
Trump, who appointed Powell during his first term, has long bickered with the Fed chair over interest rates.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Laurie stormed off and had a bummer of a night, hanging out with Valentin and his grifter Russian buddies at a Muay Thai fight — and ultimately fleeing half-dressed from one of their angry girlfriends — while Jaclyn and Kate stayed behind and bickered some more.—
Noel Murray,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
His remarks come as House Republicans continue to debate key elements of the package, including Medicaid funding and the state and local tax deduction.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
-
Though Republicans had the numbers to advance the measure, Democrats drew out the markup by debating more than 20 amendments that touched mostly on Hegseth.—
Ellen Mitchell,
The Hill,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Jake is a single father who has brought Kristen up in the severe Calvinist tradition, marked by Bible disputations of Talmudic intricacy and by a radical detachment from secular and popular culture.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2023
-
Seven decades later, this culture of disputation emerged as a central theme in Timothy Garton Ash’s The Magic Lantern, his eyewitness report on the Eastern European revolutions of 1989.—
Susie Linfield,
The New York Review of Books,
11 May 2022
Noun
-
Back in January, Kerley was hit with a domestic violence charge in an unrelated incident from last year, after he was arrested following an altercation with police.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
3 May 2025
-
This comes after an altercation with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo at the conclusion of the team's playoff series.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
Immigrant rights groups challenged the change on behalf of the immigrants and their sponsors.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
-
Dozens of lawsuits have been filed challenging Trump's executive orders and actions taken by his administration, including the dismantling of federal agencies and the crackdown on international students involved in pro-Palestinian campus protests.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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