plural disputes
: a disagreement or argument
They could not settle their dispute.
legal disputes
There is a labor dispute between workers and management.
The two farmers are involved in a land dispute.
a domestic dispute [=an argument between people who live together]
—often + over or aboutThere was a dispute [=disagreement] over/about what to do with the extra money.
There is dispute [=debate] among scholars as to the source of the text. = The source of the text is a matter/subject of dispute among scholars.
The matter/issue is still in dispute. [=people still disagree about it]
The drug's effectiveness is beyond dispute. [=it is certain that the drug is effective]
How it happened is open to dispute. [=people disagree about how it happened]
disputes; disputed; disputing
1
: to say or show that (something) may not be true, correct, or legal
The lawyer disputed [=challenged] the witness's statement.
You can dispute your bill if you believe it is inaccurate.
She disputed the claim.
These estimates are hotly/much disputed by scientists.
No one ever disputed that it was the right decision.
There is no disputing the drug's effectiveness. [=it is certain that the drug is effective]
2
: to argue about (something)
The source of the text has been disputed for centuries.
We were disputing [=debating] whether we should call the police or look for the thief ourselves.
It's no use disputing [=(more commonly) arguing] with them.
3
formal
: to fight in order to take control of (something)
a part of the city where two drug gangs are disputing territory
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/dispute. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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