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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disputes
Chevall Pryce, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
Together with its licensing, rulemaking, and market oversight responsibilities, these enforcement tools help maintain standards within the brokerage industry and provide investors with mechanisms for addressing disputes.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Then there’s the literal rocking of docks and fishing boats, which causes disputes between different lake users.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026
Resolving neighborhood disputes can take time, especially if the other party is uncooperative.
—Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Keep in mind, though, that disputes can take time, so this is not a last-minute fix.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Loss of custody as a deterrent School shootings are relatively rare, but custody disputes are not.
—Marcia Zug, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Trade disputes and political tension are spurring carmakers to strike these different partnerships.
—Robert Ferris, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
Handling disputes and preventing them from escalating into dangerous situations were also a focus of the presentation.
—Evonne Andris, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Set in the ’90s, the game tasks players with such activities as stocking shelves, manning the checkout counter, and balancing the daily books; sometimes a videotape needs to be rewound, or a patron disputes a late fee.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Batey, the Spotify spokesperson, disputes that reasoning.
—Kyle Eustice, VIBE.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Her lawyer said Cherfilus-McCormick disputes the allegations and the report.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
As discussed below, the NCAA flatly disputes that assertion.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Swalwell disputes the residency attack, but reporters were unable to find any Bay Area neighbors who had ever seen him before.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Jose Murguido, an executive with Stratus, disputes that.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
Harvard disputes the allegations and has won some legal victories, but the case tests the boundaries of federal authority over universities.
—Moriah Balingit, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
Each lawsuit was a settlement, meaning the city did not lose a lawsuit but instead chose to pay the plaintiff to end litigation and resolve the disputes out of court.
—Chevall Pryce, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
Together with its licensing, rulemaking, and market oversight responsibilities, these enforcement tools help maintain standards within the brokerage industry and provide investors with mechanisms for addressing disputes.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Then there’s the literal rocking of docks and fishing boats, which causes disputes between different lake users.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026
Resolving neighborhood disputes can take time, especially if the other party is uncooperative.
—Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Keep in mind, though, that disputes can take time, so this is not a last-minute fix.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Loss of custody as a deterrent School shootings are relatively rare, but custody disputes are not.
—Marcia Zug, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Trade disputes and political tension are spurring carmakers to strike these different partnerships.
—Robert Ferris, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
Handling disputes and preventing them from escalating into dangerous situations were also a focus of the presentation.
—Evonne Andris, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
The company disputes the cancer-causing assertions.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Set in the ’90s, the game tasks players with such activities as stocking shelves, manning the checkout counter, and balancing the daily books; sometimes a videotape needs to be rewound, or a patron disputes a late fee.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Batey, the Spotify spokesperson, disputes that reasoning.
—Kyle Eustice, VIBE.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Her lawyer said Cherfilus-McCormick disputes the allegations and the report.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
As discussed below, the NCAA flatly disputes that assertion.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Swalwell disputes the residency attack, but reporters were unable to find any Bay Area neighbors who had ever seen him before.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Jose Murguido, an executive with Stratus, disputes that.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
Harvard disputes the allegations and has won some legal victories, but the case tests the boundaries of federal authority over universities.
—Moriah Balingit, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disputes
Noun
-
The musician further stressed that this was a creative choice, rather than anything related to the countless controversies Ye has embroiled himself in these past few years (and is ostensibly trying to move past).—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Athlete Caster Semenya, who has been at the center of many controversies due to her naturally high testosterone level, is calling for others to speak up, including Olympic governing bodies in Africa.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Lamont’s chief spokesman, Rob Blanchard, expressed optimism, despite the disagreements.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
-
But there are issues and there are disagreements and there are hurt feelings.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The funding is ongoing while Colorado challenges the policy in court, but if reductions are made permanent, Mahanan predicts a wave of day care closures, almost overnight.—
Shay Castle,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The game challenges players to guess the hourly burrito combination for a chance to unlock prizes.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 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
-
At least 80% of voters support photo ID, polling that Republicans have repeatedly pointed to as the Senate debates the SAVE America Act, an election bill that Democrats claim is an attempt at voter suppression.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Dallas is $5 million behind on sales tax revenue, adding pressure as the city debates whether to repair or relocate its nearly 50-year-old City Hall.—
Everton Bailey Jr,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 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
-
But when new hire Pumpkin (Lola Tung) questions their sisterhood, they’re forced to confront inner darkness or meet violent ends.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Family questions police response Sye's other sister told CBS New Baltimore that the officers were too aggressive in their response.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disputes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disputes. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
