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
Russian authorities disputed that account and told the World Health Organization (WHO) that plague had not been detected in her tests nor in those of her close contacts. — Veronique Greenwood, Time, 7 Oct. 2026 Bottoms accused him of calling for the Guard to be deployed during the election, something Jackson disputed. — AJC.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
The Founder Cannot Carry Every hour a founder spends resolving a vendor dispute or approving a schedule change is an hour not spent on the few decisions only the founder can make. — Ken Paskins, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026 Orange County workers, represented by Teamsters Local 952, went on strike on Tuesday as a labor dispute over higher wages to keep pace with the rising cost of living continues. — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 13 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 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)
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