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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of dispute
Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
In the filing, Village Roadshow framed its ongoing arbitration dispute with Warner Bros. over The Matrix Resurrections as a turning point, effectively ending what had been its most lucrative business arrangement.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Mar. 2025
Reuters, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2025
Israel does not dispute that a significant number of Palestinian civilians have been killed in its war in Gaza.
—Nadeen Ebrahim and Ibrahim Dahman, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Noun
The eased transit visa rules can’t hide geopolitical differences between Washington and Beijing over Taiwan and the South China Sea, as well as over economic policies and spying, among other disputes.
—Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
In the filing, Village Roadshow framed its ongoing arbitration dispute with Warner Bros. over The Matrix Resurrections as a turning point, effectively ending what had been its most lucrative business arrangement.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
Israel disputes this, citing historical and biblical ties to the land.
—Reuters, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2025
Israel does not dispute that a significant number of Palestinian civilians have been killed in its war in Gaza.
—Nadeen Ebrahim and Ibrahim Dahman, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute
Noun
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But even without the political controversy, Tesla is facing headwinds due to growing competition from other automakers, particularly those in China.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Plus, there’s no shortage of controversy in modern politics—use this recipe as a starting point for your own cheeky and timely dessert.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The basketball star has a reputation for being able to silence media noise in the most crucial moments, but the family element of this quarrel seems to have hit a little too close to home this time.—
Christian Orozco,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2025
-
Carter’s eleventh-hour time line seems to be wrong, but the matter won’t be settled by these quarrels.—
Nathan Heller,
The New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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However, financial markets are beginning to question whether this era of American exceptionalism is coming to an end.—
Garth Friesen,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
-
Trump said the auto tariffs would be permanent throughout his term, but Murphy and other analysts question whether tariffs are being used as a negotiation tactic.—
Bailey Schulz,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Force an impatient couple to bicker in Route 23 traffic.—
Tyler Buchanan,
Axios,
21 Mar. 2025
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Somehow McKay keeps the movie spinning even after Dale and Brennan stop bickering and start sticking together: Adam Scott, as Brennan’s snobby, overachieving brother, makes a terrific common enemy.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The principals often debate various courses of action and present it to the president for a final decision.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Listen to this article With the state spending $378 million last year on overtime, legislators are debating a controversial bill to eliminate overtime from state pension calculations.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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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
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The two then had an altercation, during which one of the children was knocked over and Villalobos fled, according to authorities.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2025
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Although officially estranged, the couple were still living together with their three sons under the age of 11 at the time of the July 16, 2023, altercation outside their house.—
Liam Quinn,
People.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Spoelstra unsuccessfully challenged that second Adebayo foul, left without a challenge the balance of the night.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2025
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Our stories are sharp, fearless, and unafraid to challenge convention.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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