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
Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025
More than two years later, Jackson has yet to rebuild and is still engaged in a long-running legal dispute with the city stemming from the original suit.
—Ben Wieder, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
Abdel Kareem Hana and Tia Goldenberg, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
Experts, however, dispute the connection, noting that water allocation from the Delta plays little role in firefighting efforts.
—Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for dispute 
Noun
Witherspoon said the woman who stuck her hand into the dog fight lost the dispute.
—Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025
More than two years later, Jackson has yet to rebuild and is still engaged in a long-running legal dispute with the city stemming from the original suit.
—Ben Wieder, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
The groups dispute Israel’s stance that the destruction was a result of military activity.
—Abdel Kareem Hana and Tia Goldenberg, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
Experts, however, dispute the connection, noting that water allocation from the Delta plays little role in firefighting efforts.
—Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for dispute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute
Noun
-
Now, Corbet has weighed in on the controversy himself in a statement to Deadline.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
20 Jan. 2025
-
So Vance had no reservations about referencing Rose's famed Hall of Fame controversy to mock the outgoing president.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The House has been thrust into a political quarrel after voters elected 67 Democrats and 67 Republicans in November.—
Lauren Irwin,
The Hill,
14 Jan. 2025
-
For the 34th time in two years cops have been called by frightened neighbors or Hollis herself to quell the volcanic quarrels inside Peppermill Apartments unit B-312.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Democrats have questioned Kennedy’s qualifications for the role based on his past statements and unorthodox view of medicine.—
Chantelle Lee,
TIME,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Elon Musk has questioned the microchip claims made by DeepSeek AI, a fast-emerging player in the artificial intelligence pool, which is starting to challenge the United States' control over the AI industry.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Lovers bicker back and forth in angelic proclamations.—
Max Ufberg,
hazlitt.net,
10 Jan. 2025
-
The latest fracas between bickering foes India and Pakistan has finally ended after a resolution was resolved following months of warring almost jeopardized the upcoming Champions Trophy.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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While countries in Western Europe are debating spending more on their militaries, those closer to Moscow have already acted.—
Josh Holder,
New York Times,
25 Jan. 2025
-
By the mid-1980s, with the original turnpike bonds paid off, the Legislature debated whether to remove the tolls entirely.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 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
-
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
-
Video shown in court in November showed a group of men, two of whom officials identified as Rocky and Ephron, involved in a verbal altercation, according to The Associated Press.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA TODAY,
19 Jan. 2025
-
Zarka was accused of fatally stabbing Garrity to death after the two engaged in a physical altercation.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The order directs the Bureau of Prisons to halt the use of federal dollars for gender-affirming care, something several incarcerated trans people have successfully challenged in court.—
Brooke Migdon,
The Hill,
21 Jan. 2025
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Sarah Ferguson is recalling the shock of navigating two cancer diagnoses within one year after the challenging chapter.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
20 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near dispute
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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