dispute

1 of 3

verb

dis·​pute di-ˈspyüt How to pronounce dispute (audio)
disputed; disputing
Synonyms of dispute

intransitive verb

: to engage in argument : debate
especially : to argue irritably or with irritating persistence

transitive verb

1
a
: to make the subject of verbal controversy or disputation
Legislators hotly disputed the bill.
b
: to call into question or cast doubt upon
Her honesty was never disputed.
The witness disputed the defendant's claim.
2
a
: to struggle against : oppose
disputed the advance of the invaders
b
: to contend over
disputing ownership of the land
disputable
di-ˈspyü-tə-bəl How to pronounce dispute (audio)
ˈdi-spyə-
adjective
disputably
di-ˈspyü-tə-blē How to pronounce dispute (audio)
ˈdi-spyə-
adverb
disputer noun

dispute

2 of 3

noun (1)

dis·​pute di-ˈspyüt How to pronounce dispute (audio) ˈdi-ˌspyüt How to pronounce dispute (audio)
1
a
: verbal controversy : debate
a dispute about what to do with the surplus
a landlord-tenant dispute
legal disputes
The matter is still in dispute.
b
: quarrel
Police were called to a domestic dispute.
2
obsolete : physical combat

disputer

3 of 3

noun (2)

dis·​put·​er
də̇ˈspyütə(r), 
-ütə-
plural -s
: one that disputes especially quarrelsomely

Synonyms of dispute

Relevance

Verb

Noun (1)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of dispute in a Sentence

Verb You can dispute your bill if you believe it is inaccurate. These estimates are hotly disputed by scientists. No one ever disputed that it was the right decision. The source of the text has been disputed for centuries. a part of the city where two drug gangs are disputing territory Noun (1) They could not settle their dispute. There is a labor dispute between workers and management. The two farmers are involved in a land dispute.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
The company disputes this, and the judge overseeing the case found that the statute of limitations for those claims had passed. — Claire Rush, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026 Health policy experts don’t dispute that there has been a degree of measurable alleged fraud in the system. — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 3 July 2026
Noun
The dispute centers not only on what caused the failure, but also on who gets to determine the answer. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2026 For Youssef, the issue has grown beyond a housing dispute and into a broader public safety concern. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dispute

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French desputer, from Latin disputare to discuss, from dis- + putare to think

Noun (2)

Middle English disputar, from disputen to dispute + -ar -er

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (1)

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of dispute was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing dispute

Rhymes for dispute

See All Rhymes for dispute

Browse Nearby Words

disputative
dispute
disputer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispute. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dispute

1 of 2 verb
dis·​pute dis-ˈpyüt How to pronounce dispute (audio)
disputed; disputing
1
: to engage in argument : debate
2
: to quarrel angrily : wrangle
3
: to question the truth or rightness of
dispute a statement
4
: to fight over : contest
the two nations disputed the territory
disputer noun

dispute

2 of 2 noun
1
: argument sense 1b, debate
2
: an angry difference of opinion : quarrel

Legal Definition

dispute

1 of 2 verb
dis·​pute di-ˈspyüt How to pronounce dispute (audio)
disputed; disputing

intransitive verb

: to engage in a dispute
disputing with management over contract terms

transitive verb

: to engage in a dispute over
disputing the correct application of the contract provision
especially : to oppose by argument or assertion
disputed changes to the grievance procedure
disputable
di-ˈspyü-tə-bəl, ˈdis-pyə-tə-bəl How to pronounce dispute (audio)
adjective

dispute

2 of 2 noun
: an assertion of opposing views or claims : a disagreement as to rights
especially : one that is the subject of proceedings for resolution (as arbitration)

More from Merriam-Webster on dispute

Nglish: Translation of dispute for Spanish Speakers

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