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
Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
The dispute began when Nicklaus sold GBI Investors—which had licensed his intellectual property and managed his golf course design business—to Milstein in 2007.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Local law enforcement quickly disputed that claim.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Noun
The town had burned to the ground, and most of the Spanish settlers were dead, either of disease or in violent disputes about gold with indigenous peoples.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
The dispute began when Nicklaus sold GBI Investors—which had licensed his intellectual property and managed his golf course design business—to Milstein in 2007.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
Some have signed a petition disputing Merz’s comments.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Local law enforcement quickly disputed that claim.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute
Noun
-
His political director quit the two-month-old campaign, and the candidate apologized — but now Platner is taking a rare, risky approach by leaning into the controversy.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Appointments follow months of policy controversy The appointments mark the next step taken by Sumner County conservatives to pass the controversial policy, which has seen substantial pushback for First Amendment concerns.—
Angele Latham,
Nashville Tennessean,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
While still unconfirmed, we’re told that the film sees Louise, the alcoholic mother of Mike (Hechinger) and Tommy, take off after a quarrel with her husband Lester — walking with her dog to the home of her brother Frank, quite a few miles away.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Hip-Hop has equally thrived on legendary quarrels and strong relationships.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Julie Mayhew, owner of Mayville Farm, a small farm sanctuary in Racine, said she's publicly questioned Shalom for years.—
Quinn Clark,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Bessent was questioned by Democrats and some Republicans for his support, in the context of Argentina being a competitor to the US in exporting soybeans to China.—
Daniel Flatley,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The pair bicker and bond their way through the whimsical Panda Kingdom, a vibrant world that blends the everyday with the extraordinary, carrying animals and humans alike into something at once magical and mundane.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Roberts and Tim Robbins play American journalists in Paris who lose their luggage and bicker over a hotel room and then wind up in bed together.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If the White House must be remade, let there be a plan; let it be debated; let the financing be transparent and free of kickbacks and corruption.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The Cleveland Browns drafted two rookie quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL draft, a move that was highly debated at the time and a storyline that hasn't gone away since.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
According to him, advances in machine learning have yanked questions once trapped inside theological/philosophical disputations into corporate board packs.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Aug. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
The Packers owned a 22-19 lead in the fourth quarter when Steelers linebacker Nick Niemann was flagged for instigating an altercation.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Other behaviors that commonly cause altercations during flights include shouting, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, and reclining your seat without consideration for the person sitting behind.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The surging price of gold is boosting some developing economies, challenging the US dollar’s hegemony — and changing jewelry designs.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Changes to the regulatory framework and fleet incentives further challenged the business, Barra also said.—
Jackie Charniga,
Freep.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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