disputes 1 of 2

noun

plural of dispute
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

disputes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of dispute
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
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 And resist the temptation to divert urgent discussions toward thorny disputes. — Geoffrey Irving, Time, 3 Oct. 2026 Accusations are flying in Coral Gables ahead of the city’s November election, adding fuel to the already fiery disputes on the dais between Mayor Vince Lago and Commissioner Melissa Castro, political rivals who are both running for reelection. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 That leaves room for disputes in which both sides agree the job began as at will but disagree about what was understood later. — William Jones, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026 The merger, which was originally expected to close much sooner, was delayed for more than two years amid regulatory scrutiny and legal disputes. — Bydebbie Carlson, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026 Support lines flood with complaints, and what was meant to reduce billing disputes ends up manufacturing new ones. — Olufunsho Peters, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 The June agreement collapsed after disputes over the memo's vague wording, including language related to who would control the strait. — Ava Pukatch, NPR, 26 Sep. 2026
Verb
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 ShinyHunters disputes portions of the FBI's description of its activities. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026 The Israeli military disputes the film’s account, and it is entitled to do so. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026 But Kalkanis disputes the claim that Maldonado’s actions rise to the level of official misconduct due to a lack of state legislative clarity regarding Flock misuse. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026 Morgan also disputes Spencer’s recollection of their phone call. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2026 Hedgepeth also disputes the board’s interpretation of the lighting restriction. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026 The nonprofit Common Ground, along with current and former workers, have alleged mismanagement and data fabrication − claims Veolia disputes − prompting an independent third-party audit. — Mary Spicuzza, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026 Lawyer Coby DuBose of Houston, who represents former safety Jacob Fields, also disputes the allegations laid out in the arrest warrant affidavit signed by TCU police Sgt. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disputes
  1. controversies
  2. disagreements
  3. challenges
  4. bickers
  5. debates
  6. disputations
  7. quarrels
  8. questions
Noun
  • The question also raised the recent spread of controversies over individual films into attacks on cast and crew and campaigns to halt screenings.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Fox and its founder, Rupert Murdoch, have faced controversies, scandals and litigation before.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of controversies
Noun
  • The economy has produced another set of disagreements, particularly over government spending, employment, and social programs.
    — Katie Angell Britannica Editors Oct. 2, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The suit also asserted Vista Grande initiated the ER trips in retaliation for the family's disagreements about Tingley's care.
    — Jordan Rau, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of disagreements
Verb
  • Jeremy Irons co-stars as Jesuit priest Father Gabriel, who challenges Mendoza to undergo penance.
    — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The league's filing comes as New Jersey challenges a federal appeals court ruling that favored Kalshi's position that federal commodities law overrides state gambling regulations.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of challenges
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
Definition of bickers
Verb
  • Co-star Tom Blyth will surely hold his own in Michael Arden’s production of a play that debates whether the rule of law in a democracy can fully protect us from a dangerous world.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
  • As the group debates players, Pitt reveals the new modus operandi for the Oakland Athletics.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of debates
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
Definition of disputations
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 quarrels
Verb
  • There was a period where airspace was closed in the Gulf after the Iran conflict began, and then questions about whether the region’s growth story would be interrupted.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • An award decided by sportswriters and broadcasters gives them something convenient to point to when anyone questions that assessment.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of questions

Browse Nearby Words

disputers
disputes
disputing
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disputes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disputes. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of Luddite

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All