DISPUTE Synonyms: 159 Similar and Opposite Words

dispute 1 of 2

noun

di-ˈspyüt

Definition of dispute

as in controversy

variance of opinion on a matter a dispute over the proper pronunciation of "nuclear"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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dispute

2 of 2

verb

di-ˈspyüt

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to bicker

to express different opinions about something often angrily hometown fans disputing with visiting fans over which had the better team

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 dispute

Noun

The court was established in 2001 and began functioning four years later as both an international court to settle disputes among Caribbean countries and as a final court of appeal. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026 Meanwhile, the county is still embroiled in a legal dispute with the Missouri State Tax Commission over the 2023 and 2024 tax cycles. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026

Verb

Run a single $50,000 sale under the wrong merchant category code, or let one customer dispute a charge, and the penalties cascade. — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 The companies largely disputed the report’s findings, arguing that their features work as intended or that the tests did not represent typical use of the platforms by kids and teens. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dispute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute

Noun

Test your knowledge of cruise controversies, wedding whispers and more in this week's American Culture Quiz.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
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.

— Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026

Definition of controversy

Noun

The victim got into a quarrel inside Bob’s Classic Barber Shop on Albany Ave.

— Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 10 June 2026
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.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026

Definition of quarrel

Verb

Buchhorn’s conviction was overturned in 2021, after the Court of Appeals of Kansas found Buchhorn’s defense did not sufficiently question Erik Mitchell of Frontier Forensics Midwest, an independent contractor who performed Oliver’s autopsy.

— Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
Trump has routinely teased the possibility of seeking a third term since returning to office and openly questioned whether he would be allowed to do so.

— Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026

Definition of question

Verb

Several weeks back, Clark and White were caught bickering during a timeout huddle against the expansion Portland Fire.

— Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 June 2026
The plot centers on bickering couple Joe and Angela, who invite their noisy upstairs neighbors, Hawk and Piña, for dinner.

— Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Definition of bicker

Verb

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.

— Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 4 July 2026
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.

— Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 4 July 2026

Definition of debate

Noun

This did not, however, mark the end of disputation concerning the Northwest Angle.

— Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
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

Definition of disputation

Noun

The altercation involving Sandoval, Robinson and her father happened in the early morning hours after the couple returned home from a night out at a bar, according to both accounts.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Angelo and the woman’s fiancé got into a brief altercation that resulted in an exchange of gunfire.

— Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026