disputed; disputing
: to engage in argument : debate
especially
: to argue irritably or with irritating persistence
1
a
: to make the subject of verbal controversy or disputation
Legislators hotly disputed the bill.
b
: to call into question or cast doubt upon
Her honesty was never disputed.
The witness disputed the defendant's claim.
2
a
: to struggle against : oppose
disputed the advance of the invaders
b
: to contend over
disputing ownership of the land
disputer
noun
dis·pute
di-ˈspyüt 
ˈdi-ˌspyüt
ˈdi-ˌspyüt
Examples of dispute in a Sentence
Verb
You can dispute your bill if you believe it is inaccurate.
These estimates are hotly disputed by scientists.
No one ever disputed that it was the right decision.
The source of the text has been disputed for centuries.
a part of the city where two drug gangs are disputing territory
Noun
They could not settle their dispute.
There is a labor dispute between workers and management.
The two farmers are involved in a land dispute.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
Chinese officials have not disputed the characterization of the deal when asked by reporters.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 19 June 2025
and Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 21 June 2025
The simmering dispute comes as protesters showed up at Dodger Stadium on Thursday to decry Dodgers’ silence amidst immigration raids and unrest in Los Angeles.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
The extent of his role remains disputed by Modi, who told Trump that India was not interested in third-party mediation over the Kashmir dispute during their call Tuesday, according to Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
Chinese officials have not disputed the characterization of the deal when asked by reporters.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 19 June 2025
Noun
News to Know Wisconsin lawsuit accuses Miami of tampering
In the latest legal dispute amid the changing landscape of college sports, the University of Wisconsin filed a lawsuit against the University of Miami yesterday for allegedly tampering with a football player.
—and Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 21 June 2025
The simmering dispute comes as protesters showed up at Dodger Stadium on Thursday to decry Dodgers’ silence amidst immigration raids and unrest in Los Angeles.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispute. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dispute
2 of 2 noun1
2
: an angry difference of opinion : quarrel
Legal Definition
dispute
1 of 2 verb
dis·pute
di-ˈspyüt
disputed; disputing
: to engage in a dispute
disputing with management over contract terms
: to engage in a dispute over
disputing the correct application of the contract provision
especially
: to oppose by argument or assertion
disputed changes to the grievance procedure
dispute
2 of 2 noun
: an assertion of opposing views or claims : a disagreement as to rights
especially
: one that is the subject of proceedings for resolution (as arbitration)
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