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
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Federal and state laws carve out specific protections designed to ensure that delinquent borrowers can meet their basic living expenses, even in the middle of a debt dispute.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Sydney Lake, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
This can include help to contact creditors, placing fraud alerts, disputing unauthorized accounts and preparing documentation to recover your identity.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Noun
However, the dispute drew national attention and helped cement Ticketmaster’s reputation among critics as a gatekeeper to major concert venues.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Federal and state laws carve out specific protections designed to ensure that delinquent borrowers can meet their basic living expenses, even in the middle of a debt dispute.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
Thai Union disputed those claims during the bankruptcy.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
This can include help to contact creditors, placing fraud alerts, disputing unauthorized accounts and preparing documentation to recover your identity.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute
Noun
-
Fundraising for the project through private donations also drew controversy.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The controversy surrounding the North Natomas micro-community comes amid a heated re-election campaign for Councilmember Lisa Kaplan, who represents the area.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Department of Defense’s quarrel with the Anthropic began after the company refused to back down over contractual guardrails around the use of its Claude AI model in autonomous weapons and mass surveillance.—
Devan Cole,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
-
My quarrel is not with the science of LNG itself.—
Joel McPherson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Still, some critics have questioned the role of law enforcement on school campuses, particularly in secondary schools, raising concerns that such programs can feel more like surveillance than support.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
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The hidden cost of going back to school Students are increasingly questioning the value proposition of higher education.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Jenna is frustrated at his lack of seriousness, and Daisy wishes her department would stop bickering for once.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Against the backdrop of an island honeymoon, the two men clash and bicker before gradually uncovering an unexpected bond in this emotional dramedy.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Pop culture depictions of school shootings have often stoked controversy, with many viewers debating the line between storytelling and sensitivity.—
Saba Hamedy,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
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As lawmakers debate, business owners like him remain worried about getting served with lawsuit papers.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
According to him, advances in machine learning have yanked questions once trapped inside theological/philosophical disputations into corporate board packs.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Aug. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Brockton man charged after allegedly shooting at officers Jailson Andrade, 44, faces several charges after allegedly firing at Brockton Police officers during an altercation early Sunday morning, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
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The pair have been in physical altercations in the past, including Manning's 2012 arrest for allegedly punching, scratching, kicking and choking Hartman – whom media outlets have referred to as Manning's former make-up artist and assistant – and slamming her head against the floor and wall.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Angels challenged a successful steal by Hoerner in the sixth, but the call was upheld.—
Jay Cohen,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Some two dozen states already challenged the new tariffs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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