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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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of dispute
Sean Gregory, Time, 8 June 2025
Arbitration is a private dispute resolution forum that parties contractually assent to use in lieu of litigation.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 June 2025
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 5 June 2025
However, in an April interview with TIME, Trump claimed that Xi had already called him—which Chinese officials disputed.
—Nik Popli, Time, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Noun
Maybe the three-month suspension Sinner served over a doping dispute this year had left him fresh for this French Open.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 8 June 2025
Arbitration is a private dispute resolution forum that parties contractually assent to use in lieu of litigation.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 June 2025
Verb
One of the inventors of RPR told USA Today that the method does not involve physical contact from others, a point Petrella disputed.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 5 June 2025
However, in an April interview with TIME, Trump claimed that Xi had already called him—which Chinese officials disputed.
—Nik Popli, Time, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute
Noun
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Read Next Before payment controversy, Chief Johnny Jennings made progressive strides at CMPD June 6, 2025 11:23 AM This story was originally published June 13, 2025 at 5:00 AM.—
Maia Nehme,
Charlotte Observer,
13 June 2025
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At the heart of the controversy over Iran’s nuclear program is its enrichment of uranium – a process used to produce fuel for power plants that, at higher levels, can also be used to make a nuclear bomb.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
13 June 2025
Noun
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Paramount Pictures Cohen et al. give a shoutout in their introduction to Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels, specifically the longstanding quarrel between the people of Lilliput and Blefuscu on the best orientation for cracking an egg.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
26 May 2025
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The whole saga, with Zelenskyy risking U.S. support through his quarrel with Trump before ultimately backing down, demonstrates how unprepared the Ukrainian leader was to engage with the new administration.—
Evan Nierman,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Some might find the introduction of a major conflict — when a different date turns nightmarish for Sophie, causing Lucy to question her certainties about what makes a good match and berate herself for failing to spot red flags — to be a heavy-handed nudge toward a resolution.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2025
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The announcement also prompted concern among bloggers who write about Disney parks in California and Florida, who questioned the impact the restrictions could have on the thousands who visit the parks each year from Venezuela.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
8 June 2025
Verb
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As the family begins bickering, Alice/Nicola excuses herself from the table.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
26 May 2025
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Mileage will also vary for the bickering chemistry between stars John Krasinski and Natalie Portman, though deft supporting turns inject welcome flashes of unpredictability into this mostly paint-by-numbers affair.—
Todd Gilchrist,
Variety,
22 May 2025
Verb
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While the cause and eventual outcome can be debated, the immediate impact was felt with shares of Tesla falling 14% on Thursday.—
JJ Kinahan,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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The Senate passed the bill on a vote of 19 to 13, which happened more than 16 hours after the chamber was scheduled to debate it.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
5 June 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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Seven decades later, this culture of disputation emerged as a central theme in Timothy Garton Ash’s The Magic Lantern, his eyewitness report on the Eastern European revolutions of 1989.—
Susie Linfield,
The New York Review of Books,
11 May 2022
Noun
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The jail altercation has since escalated into a wider conflict between the Sheriff’s Office and the Broward State Attorney’s Office.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
7 June 2025
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This wasn’t the first altercation to take place at one of Beyoncé’s recent shows.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
7 June 2025
Verb
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These women’s stories challenge a culture that too often equates strength with silence.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
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While Santos gives Chelsea more depth across central areas of the pitch, he is being earmarked to challenge fellow 21-year-old Lavia for a first XI place.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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