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
Examples 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 dispute
Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2024
This is not the first time cops have been called for a dispute between Kim and Kroy.
—Liza Esquibias, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024
Peter Bart, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2024
But witness Elliott Hinkle, who is transgender and has experience in foster care, disputed Mace’s characterization of the interaction.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dispute 
Noun
As the anemic number reflects, businesses were weighed down by Hurricanes Milton and Helene as well as labor disputes such as the Boeing machinists strike.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2024
This is not the first time cops have been called for a dispute between Kim and Kroy.
—Liza Esquibias, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
That title may be disputed when a new doc about Swift makes its debut.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2024
But witness Elliott Hinkle, who is transgender and has experience in foster care, disputed Mace’s characterization of the interaction.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dispute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute
Noun
-
The records put an end to a monthslong controversy over whether Winfrey was paid for endorsing the former Democratic presidential nominee.Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024
-
After Joaquin Phoenix dropped out of Todd Haynes’ gay romance film in September, just days before filming started, Haynes has spoken out for the first time about the controversy.Them, Them, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
That’s the main quarrel of opponents of such conservation projects.Christine Ro, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
-
Experts at the conference floated the possibility that the aquatic quarrel could make its way to the Supreme Court, though that’s viewed as a crisis that should be averted.Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
In the letter, Freedman questions why the only person Hochman has met with is the attorney of the one family member firmly opposing the brother's resentencing.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
-
After extensive hearings last week, including an in-chambers interview at Blakey questioned Acevedo himself, the judge determined that Acevedo could take the stand.Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
On a scene-to-scene level, Mr. Turner is packed full of delightful dialogue and wonderful scenes of 19th-century painters bickering and arguing, though its undercurrent is one of unstoppable modernity.Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024
-
Sanders bickered with a reporter who asked about his plans for the rain.Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 28 Sep. 2024
Verb
-
Offering an opinion on social media and debating with strangers is just so much easier! Follow me on Twitter.Peter Suciu, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
-
Humans are social creatures and rely on each other for survival, but some scholars have debated whether humans are genuinely altruistic or have other motivations, such as the need to feel good about themselves.Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024
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
-
And yet there is one aspect of the book which was notable: a disputation of the Richard Wrangham's work in Demonic Males.Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2013
Noun
-
Jamie Foxx is thanking fans for their support after an altercation at his birthday dinner this weekend required him to get stitches.Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 15 Dec. 2024
-
Things got worse for Curtis, who was arrested and charged with assault because of his altercation with assistant DA Daniels.Barry Levitt, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
To make this a roster that isn’t in the periphery — or worse, forgotten by the general public — but once again challenging for the top of the league.Sahadev Sharma, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024
-
But this flavor swaps dirty diesel for a clean and quiet electric drivetrain built around a 74-kWh battery pack for more than 90 miles (150 km) of hauling over all kinds of challenging terrain.Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 9 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near dispute
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share