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
Synonyms
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
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
Pryor's daughter Rain Pryor and Brando's son Miko Brando both disputed the claims.
—Stephanie Petit, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
That is the date set by the election-law reforms for the resolution of all legal disputes.
—The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dispute 
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Verb
Frankly, this is a hard argument to dispute, but the guy is ultimately the movie’s monster, so his ideology has to be sufficiently challenged by the time the credits roll.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
Pryor's daughter Rain Pryor and Brando's son Miko Brando both disputed the claims.
—Stephanie Petit, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
Ties have been at their lowest point in decades amid disputes over trade, technology, Taiwan and Chinese aggression in the South China Sea.
—Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
That is the date set by the election-law reforms for the resolution of all legal disputes.
—The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dispute
Dictionary Entries Near dispute
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispute. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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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