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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Other disputes are minor, like the three animal rights activists who stole lambs from King Charles’ Sandringham estate. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 Oct. 2026 In the last year alone, the federal government partially shut down twice for weeks because of partisan disputes in Congress over spending on healthcare and immigration enforcement. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Verb

Israeli officials have since disputed who was responsible for reviewing information provided ahead of the flight. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026 The company disputes that 27 odor complaints since 2024 and 67 videos of work being done outside permitted hours referenced in a city staff report represent actual violations of the city’s noise, odor and operating hour rules. — Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dispute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispute

Noun

The subject was not about his arrest, nor the resulting controversy consuming the Wolverine’s football program.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2026
The homecoming reignited controversy over conditions endured during the unusually long deployment and reports of multiple sailors attempting suicide.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of controversy

Noun

The overtones of social significance are adroitly handled and make real sense in an era of tragic international quarrels.

— THR Staff, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026
Unlike Christian priests and medicine men, who generally command respect, rainmakers are sometimes seen as malicious people who retaliate against whole communities for quarrels with their neighbors.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of quarrel

Verb

The apartment that people questioned spending money on is the same one that built her career.

— Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Certainly there were clear taboos, beginning with questioning the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party and criticizing the country’s central leadership.

— Howard W. French, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of question

Verb

The two of them together, just 17 months apart, shared playlists, bickered over where to stop during Apple CarPlay calls, pulled up beside me and faded away with silly faces, encapsulating 20 years of my life in my rearview mirror.

— Robert Duffer, AJC.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Like law enforcement agents everywhere, they’re disposed to bickering about jurisdiction or pumping each other for off-limits information.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of bicker

Verb

While the two candidates were technically debating each other, the most prominent name onstage wasn’t there and isn’t on the ballot.

— Editorial Board, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Fourth graders debate whether a company will still be in business in 10 years.

— Michael Poore Special to the Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 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

One of Bonner's friends appeared to get into an argument with the third man as the second male friend attempted to hold him back from an altercation.

— Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Chicago Alderman Michelle Harris said at Sunday's community vigil that the suspect had allegedly gotten into an altercation with staff at a wireless store in the Chatham neighborhood just before the fatal stabbing, WLS reported.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of altercation

Verb

Williams leaped back inbounds to secure her own miss on a play initially ruled Dallas’ ball, but Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase successfully challenged the call.

— Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
The congressman challenged Newsom to a debate, proposing holding town halls and talking to voters about this issue.

— Juhi Doshi, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026