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
Andreas Panosyan,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
The five-day special session was dominated by a heated debate over property taxes, an extension of a yearslong dispute roiling Democrats and the Republicans who control both chambers.
—
David Wickert,
AJC.com,
29 June 2026
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2026
Tesla has disputed those claims, saying the driver manually overrode the system by pressing the accelerator.
—
Shafiq Najib,
ABC News,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Noun
But in a world increasingly defined by diplomatic standoffs, territorial wars and trade disputes, the dollar has become a geopolitical tool.
—
Andreas Panosyan,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
The five-day special session was dominated by a heated debate over property taxes, an extension of a yearslong dispute roiling Democrats and the Republicans who control both chambers.
—
David Wickert,
AJC.com,
29 June 2026
Verb
The new and disputed geofence warrants seek to find a suspect by examining data on the cellphones that were at the scene of a crime.
—
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2026
Tesla has disputed those claims, saying the driver manually overrode the system by pressing the accelerator.
—
Shafiq Najib,
ABC News,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute
Noun
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Test your knowledge of cruise controversies, wedding whispers and more in this week's American Culture Quiz.
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Williams’ decision to leave the position was a big surprise to the mayor, commissioners and residents, though her departure followed months of controversy and scrutiny.
Noun
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The victim got into a quarrel inside Bob’s Classic Barber Shop on Albany Ave.
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Rounding out the top five names were seven write-in votes for the Sacramento Capitals or Capitols — which could be nicknamed the Caps to avoid quarrels over the spelling — and six votes for the Sacramento Stingers or Sting, referencing the collegiate Sacramento State Hornets.
Verb
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Photos of Haaland on the tarmac posted to social media were riddled with homophobia and comments questioning the striker’s masculinity.
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Maps published by the Israeli government show the pilot zones encompassing the villages of Froun, Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh and Ghandouriyeh, but commentators question their value, noting Israel does not have a significant presence in those villages.
Verb
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Several weeks back, Clark and White were caught bickering during a timeout huddle against the expansion Portland Fire.
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The plot centers on bickering couple Joe and Angela, who invite their noisy upstairs neighbors, Hawk and Piña, for dinner.
Verb
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Georgia’s most influential dishes could be debated vigorously, but there’s no question that food has been an integral part of the South’s culture.
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The other was Michael Longfellow’s sketch about a guy dying at the top of a waterslide and debating whether he should be pushed down the slide or carried down the stairs, which was the only thing Bargatze kept talking about all week.
Noun
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This did not, however, mark the end of disputation concerning the Northwest Angle.
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According to him, advances in machine learning have yanked questions once trapped inside theological/philosophical disputations into corporate board packs.
Noun
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While Blutinger was speaking, history professor Jonathan Roth attempted to take video of the protesters in the hallway and got into a physical altercation with a female student who tried to block him from doing so.
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During that altercation, the other person shot Perkins several times, police said.
Verb
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Are the needs of another challenging your emotional state?
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Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer came out of the net to go for the ball, as a Ecuadorian player challenged the net.
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispute. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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