1
as in controversies
variance of opinion on a matter
a dispute over the proper pronunciation of "nuclear"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disagreements
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 challenges
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 bickers
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 debates
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 disputes
Jacqueline Charles Miami Herald, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
At least five competing proposals have emerged from major coalitions, several of which have fractured in recent days as internal disputes deepened.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
The settlement resolves creditor disputes and sets the stage for a potential cleanup, with an investor already negotiating to acquire the property.
—Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
The Netflix movie broke down over budget disputes, per Variety, but that doesn’t seem to be the last of it.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 5 Feb. 2026
The company handles routine legal matters including family law, landlord and tenant disputes, property transactions, and consumer rights cases.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
These disputes implicate federalism itself – the constitutional division of authority between states and the federal government that is the foundation of the American system.
—Yohuru Williams, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
Think of them like a referee of sorts—someone who can make official calls when questions or disputes come up.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Jan. 2026
The relevant law, the Lanham Act, doesn’t contain a statute of limitations, but Middlebrooks highlighted how the equitable doctrine of laches applies in trademark disputes.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 11 Feb. 2026
Sand Hill disputes the findings and says the complaints stem from issues during its prior ownership of the property.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Moderna disputes that reasoning, noting that FDA rules and guidance do not actually require trials to use the most advanced or highest-dose vaccine as a comparator in clinical studies.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
Mike Reynolds, a proponent of the measure, disputes Paxton’s claim that property taxes would increase on farmers.
—Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice, 9 Feb. 2026
Meta is set to defend itself in Los Angeles County Superior Court and disputes the claims against the company.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
No one disputes that another man, Derrick DeBruce, shot and killed Battle.
—CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Defense disputes the case McGuire’s attorney, Joseph Tacopina, argued that the petite nurse was physically incapable of killing her 6-foot-3-inch, 210-pound husband, let alone dismembering his body.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
No one seriously disputes Belichick’s résumé as a Hall of Famer.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
At least five competing proposals have emerged from major coalitions, several of which have fractured in recent days as internal disputes deepened.
—Jacqueline Charles Miami Herald, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
At least five competing proposals have emerged from major coalitions, several of which have fractured in recent days as internal disputes deepened.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
The settlement resolves creditor disputes and sets the stage for a potential cleanup, with an investor already negotiating to acquire the property.
—Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
The Netflix movie broke down over budget disputes, per Variety, but that doesn’t seem to be the last of it.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 5 Feb. 2026
The company handles routine legal matters including family law, landlord and tenant disputes, property transactions, and consumer rights cases.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
These disputes implicate federalism itself – the constitutional division of authority between states and the federal government that is the foundation of the American system.
—Yohuru Williams, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
Think of them like a referee of sorts—someone who can make official calls when questions or disputes come up.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Jan. 2026
The relevant law, the Lanham Act, doesn’t contain a statute of limitations, but Middlebrooks highlighted how the equitable doctrine of laches applies in trademark disputes.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
Enriquez disputes much of what has been claimed about him.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 11 Feb. 2026
Sand Hill disputes the findings and says the complaints stem from issues during its prior ownership of the property.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Moderna disputes that reasoning, noting that FDA rules and guidance do not actually require trials to use the most advanced or highest-dose vaccine as a comparator in clinical studies.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
Mike Reynolds, a proponent of the measure, disputes Paxton’s claim that property taxes would increase on farmers.
—Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice, 9 Feb. 2026
Meta is set to defend itself in Los Angeles County Superior Court and disputes the claims against the company.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
No one disputes that another man, Derrick DeBruce, shot and killed Battle.
—CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Defense disputes the case McGuire’s attorney, Joseph Tacopina, argued that the petite nurse was physically incapable of killing her 6-foot-3-inch, 210-pound husband, let alone dismembering his body.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
No one seriously disputes Belichick’s résumé as a Hall of Famer.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disputes
Noun
-
More recently, controversies like a Pokemon card game event that was originally planned to be held at a shrine to honor Japan’s war dead still triggered angry comments on Chinese social media, but no obvious broader repercussions.—
Chan Ho-Him,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Years of high-profile controversies — plea deals, pardons and investigations that feel politicized depending on who is involved — have left Americans skeptical that justice is blind.—
Kaitlyn Buss,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Before our daughter was born, my husband and I argued, but always resolved our disagreements.—
Yael Schonbrun,
Washington Post,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Debates and disagreements have gotten personal.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The lawsuit challenges the city of Hobart’s Plan Commission decision to convert a site plan review application into a fill permit during a public meeting, despite the application lacking basic information required under city ordinance.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Look for anything that challenges you.—
Amanda Gardner,
Martha Stewart,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The pope, played by Samora la Perdida, is a mincing oaf who bickers with Galas about the value of translating Wagner.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
While social media debates whether their name is pronounced bet-tuh or bay-tuh, veterinarians tend to be more concerned with how they’re cared for than how they’re named.—
Sierra Leone Starks,
Parents,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The chef debates whether to serve the cabins or the saloon first.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 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
Noun
-
Avoid money quarrels with everyone.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 Feb. 2026
-
His quarrels with Massie and interest in relitigating the 2020 election seem to animate him more, too.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Market questions Another important factor has been a wobbly stock market this year, Friday’s massive rally notwithstanding.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The petition, by Miami-Dade County resident Elizabeth Pines and Broward County resident Eugene Pettis, also questions DeSantis’ directive to Secretary of State Cord Byrd, which included a delay in Congressional qualifying from the week of April 20 to June 8 to June 12.—
Jim Turner,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disputes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disputes. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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