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
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
This dispute eventually went to a third-party arbitrator who found that Angel was indeed in breach and ordered it to pay The Chosen‘s producers $5 million in fees and recoverable costs.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 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
At the center of these disputes is the president's authority to remove executive branch officers from their positions at independent agencies.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
This dispute eventually went to a third-party arbitrator who found that Angel was indeed in breach and ordered it to pay The Chosen‘s producers $5 million in fees and recoverable costs.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 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
-
The controversy stems from fears that ByteDance could be compelled by Chinese law to share U.S. user data or manipulate content for propaganda purposes.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
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
-
As the Venetians and the Ottoman Turks squabble over Cyprus in the background, the men before us quarrel over everything—a woman, a job, a handkerchief.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
Legal experts are questioning the authority of the Trump administration to pause the federal funding.—
Selina Wang,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2025
-
A number of filmmakers and institutions are questioning the legality of NEH grant cancellations, pointing out that the funding was originally authorized by Congress.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
At times, Jason and Tonya seem to border on George and Martha from Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, bickering with each other as Mikal listens or, more often than not, tunes it out with earphones on, playing video games.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
30 Mar. 2025
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An alien spaceship has spiked an immensely popular bubblegum with an interdimensional ectoplasm that turns everyone who chews it into zombies, and the only ones who can save humanity are bickering foster brothers Daffy Duck and Porky Pig (both voiced by Eric Bauza).—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Callahan said the uncertainty is why many are debating whether to buy or sell shares and why companies such as Klarna, StubHub and Chime are reportedly delaying their initial public offerings.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
-
At that time, the members will debate three options.—
Wade Davis,
Rolling Stone,
6 Apr. 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
-
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
-
In their filing, attorneys for Öztürk also challenge the legality of her detention.—
Gloria Pazmino,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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