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
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Recent Examples of dispute
Lauran Neergaard, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Police determined the incident initially stemmed from a dispute involving the couple.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
ABC News, 11 June 2026
The state disputes the auditors’ methodology and said Colorado likely owes less, or perhaps nothing.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Noun
Earlier this year, Moderna’s data was at the center of a highly unusual public dispute as a then-top FDA official blocked the company’s application for its first-of-its-kind shot.
—Lauran Neergaard, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Police determined the incident initially stemmed from a dispute involving the couple.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
Verb
While multiple countries have disputing claims with China over the South China Sea, the greatest tensions over the issue have been with the Philippines, where officials have been outspoken on the issue.
—ABC News, 11 June 2026
The state disputes the auditors’ methodology and said Colorado likely owes less, or perhaps nothing.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute
Noun
-
Like all things data center, this one comes with controversy.—
David Wade,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
-
From a national pie shop victory to a fatal military crash and a baseball controversy reaching the White House, Wednesday delivered a wide range of stories for Sacramento readers.—
Ruyuan Li. Summary produced by AI assistance,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
The victim got into a quarrel inside Bob’s Classic Barber Shop on Albany Ave.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
10 June 2026
-
Rounding out the top five names were seven write-in votes for the Sacramento Capitals or Capitols — which could be nicknamed the Caps to avoid quarrels over the spelling — and six votes for the Sacramento Stingers or Sting, referencing the collegiate Sacramento State Hornets.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Thirty years after Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, Jose's former business partner still questions what led to the killings.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
-
Nearly a decade later, public opinion has shifted, and there are signs that the decision to leave is being questioned by at least some within the governing Labour party.—
Anand Menon,
Time,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
King bickered with fans on social media.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
-
But Tilly and Gershon playfully bickered onstage as the former remembered things slightly differently, with Tilly saying the problem had more to do with a shot of her hand on Gershon's crotch that was deemed too realistic.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The attendees debated where all these new treatments might fit in, especially with Eli Lilly currently dominating the market for shots and impressing attendees with data from its experimental triple-acting drug retatrutide that produced the most weight loss seen yet.—
Angelica Peebles,
CNBC,
13 June 2026
-
But also debates within the Labour Party, the state of the polls, the development of public opinion, and the success or otherwise of the government in generating growth by other means.—
Anand Menon,
Time,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
This did not, however, mark the end of disputation concerning the Northwest Angle.—
Scott Spires,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
19 Mar. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Martinez had been attending court hearings over a charge of third-degree assault and breach of peace after an altercation with her sister-in-law over a babysitting dispute and was assigned anger management classes, the document states.—
Laura Tillman,
Hartford Courant,
16 June 2026
-
So far, detectives have found no evidence of a physical altercation or foul play.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Wigan, United Kingdom — Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is poised to challenge British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the country’s premiership after resoundingly winning a special election in Makerfield, northwest England, and securing his return to parliament.—
Clare Sebastian,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
-
Each delivers thoughtful insights and actionable ideas that challenge your perspective and inspire new ways of thinking.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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