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
David Matthews, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2025
The dispute about the FEMA funds comes as the Trump administration is considering reshaping or abolishing FEMA.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2025
Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Still, his refusal as a high-profile Democrat to dispute or even disagree with right-wing politicians’ misinformation about the trans community sets a dangerous precedent at a time when trans people are being targeted at the federal level.
—Abby Monteil, Them, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Noun
The incident comes roughly three months after workplace dispute led to a shooting at a Texas USPS distribution facility that left one worker dead.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2025
The dispute about the FEMA funds comes as the Trump administration is considering reshaping or abolishing FEMA.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
Because every country in the world has a right to defend themselves and no-one can dispute that.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Still, his refusal as a high-profile Democrat to dispute or even disagree with right-wing politicians’ misinformation about the trans community sets a dangerous precedent at a time when trans people are being targeted at the federal level.
—Abby Monteil, Them, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute
Noun
-
Early reviews have been positive, but can the positive buzz help audiences digest the poison apple that is Disney's Snow White controversy?—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
21 Mar. 2025
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The controversy and the film’s box-office success nevertheless sparked interest from Western distributors.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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As the quarrel over seating escalated, the attacker, who was wearing a black face mask, slashed the victim on his left hand with an unknown weapon.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
26 Feb. 2025
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The quarrel swiftly escalated when Perez allegedly struck her twice on the left side of her temple and pulled her hair.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
More alarming, European leaders are openly questioning their reliance on an America devoted more to its own economic advantage than to a credible commitment to collective security.—
Anthony Lake,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Police have questioned Konanki’s travel companions and Riibe.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Force an impatient couple to bicker in Route 23 traffic.—
Tyler Buchanan,
Axios,
21 Mar. 2025
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Somehow McKay keeps the movie spinning even after Dale and Brennan stop bickering and start sticking together: Adam Scott, as Brennan’s snobby, overachieving brother, makes a terrific common enemy.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Listen to this article With the state spending $378 million last year on overtime, legislators are debating a controversial bill to eliminate overtime from state pension calculations.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2025
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The measure, which also aims to increase child care availability and capacity, is now being debated in a state Senate committee.—
Neha Mukherjee,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 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
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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
-
The 18-year-old’s boyfriend was seen in the footage attempting to stop the altercation.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
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The sole witness to the altercation was the car’s driver, who testified at the trial through an Urdu language translator.—
Rebecca Keegan,
The Hollywood Reporter,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Members of independent agencies fired by Trump Jan. 27 Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Fired Democratic Commissioners Charlotte Burrows and Jocelyn Samuels have not yet challenged their firings.—
Andrea Hsu,
NPR,
21 Mar. 2025
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Still, series creatives say the sequel was nearly bested by its funding issues, a story that reflects how high-end British dramas produced outside the streaming ecosystem are increasingly challenged.—
Katie Kilkenny,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
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