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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of dispute
Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
Man started firing gun during 'family dispute' that escalated
The shooting and stabbing sent four people to the hospital: one woman with life-threatening injuries and two men and one teenage boy in stable condition, police said.
—Elena Santa Cruz, The Arizona Republic, 29 Dec. 2024
Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 20 Dec. 2024
Advocates of raw milk make other arguments too: that skipping the pasteurization process can cure lactose intolerance, prevent osteoporosis, and provide superior nutrition, all claims the FDA and others dispute.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dispute 
Noun
Some states, including California and New York, allow for discovery, or the gathering of evidence from various parties to learn about the facts of a dispute, before a lawsuit has been filed.
—Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
Man started firing gun during 'family dispute' that escalated
The shooting and stabbing sent four people to the hospital: one woman with life-threatening injuries and two men and one teenage boy in stable condition, police said.
—Elena Santa Cruz, The Arizona Republic, 29 Dec. 2024
Verb
Zelle disputes how the CFPB reached the $870 million figure.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 20 Dec. 2024
Advocates of raw milk make other arguments too: that skipping the pasteurization process can cure lactose intolerance, prevent osteoporosis, and provide superior nutrition, all claims the FDA and others dispute.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dispute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute
Noun
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Meanwhile, Johnson enters the new year trying to ditch the missteps and the controversies that have left his political standing in the dust.Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
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The controversy surrounding Emilia Perez comes in stark contrast to the positive reception of Wicked.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The heads of corporate branding cook up a brief, a design firm answers with a litany of slides, and, after iterations, interventions, and internal quarrels, the sign arrives in the physical plane, with glossy acrylic letterforms and antiseptic light.Laura Preston, The New Yorker, 15 July 2024
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The key is to keep communication clear and avoid overreacting to petty quarrels and misunderstandings.Valerie Mesa, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Several conservatives were seen entering Johnson's office at the Capitol on Thursday afternoon, including House Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland, who has questioned his leadership.Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2025
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Yoon’s legal team previously questioned whether the impeached president is even eligible for prosecution.Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The pair grow up frequently bickering with each other but begin dating in high school—only to end their relationship on bad terms when Seok Ji-won abruptly leaves town with his family.Regina Kim, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
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The sellers are Lydia (Lisa Kudrow) and Paul (Ray Romano), bickering empty nesters saddled with financial woes and a dark secret.Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Judge strikes down Biden Title IX expansion: Amber & Lynda debate Amber Duke and Lynda Tran weigh in the federal judges decision to block President Biden’s rule expanding Title IX.The Hill, The Hill, 10 Jan. 2025
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The budget increased, but debate rages over cuts to some positions Was the LAFD budget cut?Letters to the Editor, Orange County Register, 10 Jan. 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
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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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Two years ago, Jolie filed a countersuit over a dispute about the sale of her half of the pair’s winery that detailed an altercation in 2016 including Pitt being physically aggressive to both Jolie and their children.Max Goldbart, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2024
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In 2016, the actress filed for divorce after accusing Pitt of physically abusing her and their children during an altercation on a private jet.Ashley Hume, Fox News, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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And the new rules will almost certainly be challenged in court.Noam N. Levey, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
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With casino and tourism industry support — and their help paying for the project — politicians, including its most vocal critics, like Goodman, have found little reason to challenge Boring’s plans.Daniel Rothberg, ProPublica, 8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near dispute
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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