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
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
Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
These conditions have fueled widespread reports of labor exploitation, environmental damage and violent disputes over territory, while mercury contamination from gold extraction has posed serious risks to indigenous communities and fragile ecosystems.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Tuesday’s City Council vote and the subsequent lawsuit represented a continuation of multiple disputes that have been ongoing for more than a year in El Cajon.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Maintenance and grounds workers at Illinois State University are in the third week of a strike amid ongoing wage disputes.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
The bipartisan package stalled in the House for over a month after the Senate unanimously passed it, held up by internal Republican disputes and Speaker Mike Johnson’s narrow majority.
—Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
This feels like a major betrayal over some minor disputes.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026
The House's narrow Republican majority has repeatedly stalled out under Johnson's gavel, with his own party tangled in internal disputes on a range of pending issues, including the Homeland Security funding.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
The underwriter will ask for a new credit report with the disputes removed before granting credit.
—Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
No one disputes that foreign influence exists or that national security concerns should be taken seriously.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Prosecuting attorney John Dinger said the victim was too intoxicated to consent, though Carrasco Benitez disputes the victim’s account of the violent nature of the crime.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 29 Apr. 2026
OpenAI disputes the claim, saying Musk was on board with its for-profit move.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
Bayer disputes the cancer claims but has set aside $16 billion to settle cases, and proposed a major settlement earlier this year.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Investigators cited factors such as cold exposure, transport stress and poor health on arrival, while the company disputes claims of inadequate conditions.
—Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
But one detail that has remained constant – the year Pepsi was invented – is the point Avery most strongly disputes.
—Ryan Wilusz, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
The Office of Economic Development and International Trade also disputes claims that businesses don’t consider Colorado a desirable place to locate or expand, and corporate recruiters in the field describe a still robust rather than diminishing pipeline of prospects.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
The apparent goal is to discredit accusers in public — then circulate the smears to their social circles — as well as demoralize adversaries amid legal disputes, forcing quiet settlements on preferred terms.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
These conditions have fueled widespread reports of labor exploitation, environmental damage and violent disputes over territory, while mercury contamination from gold extraction has posed serious risks to indigenous communities and fragile ecosystems.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Tuesday’s City Council vote and the subsequent lawsuit represented a continuation of multiple disputes that have been ongoing for more than a year in El Cajon.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Maintenance and grounds workers at Illinois State University are in the third week of a strike amid ongoing wage disputes.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
The bipartisan package stalled in the House for over a month after the Senate unanimously passed it, held up by internal Republican disputes and Speaker Mike Johnson’s narrow majority.
—Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
This feels like a major betrayal over some minor disputes.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026
The House's narrow Republican majority has repeatedly stalled out under Johnson's gavel, with his own party tangled in internal disputes on a range of pending issues, including the Homeland Security funding.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
The underwriter will ask for a new credit report with the disputes removed before granting credit.
—Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
The Navy's response The Navy claims its testing did not exceed federal limits and disputes the extent of the contamination off site.
—Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
No one disputes that foreign influence exists or that national security concerns should be taken seriously.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Prosecuting attorney John Dinger said the victim was too intoxicated to consent, though Carrasco Benitez disputes the victim’s account of the violent nature of the crime.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 29 Apr. 2026
OpenAI disputes the claim, saying Musk was on board with its for-profit move.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
Bayer disputes the cancer claims but has set aside $16 billion to settle cases, and proposed a major settlement earlier this year.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Investigators cited factors such as cold exposure, transport stress and poor health on arrival, while the company disputes claims of inadequate conditions.
—Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
But one detail that has remained constant – the year Pepsi was invented – is the point Avery most strongly disputes.
—Ryan Wilusz, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
The Office of Economic Development and International Trade also disputes claims that businesses don’t consider Colorado a desirable place to locate or expand, and corporate recruiters in the field describe a still robust rather than diminishing pipeline of prospects.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disputes
Noun
-
Some complaints derive from the film brushing aside many of the late King of Pop’s controversies, while others criticize the factual problems of Michael’s life and career, including missing family members.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The controversies clearly didn’t stop fans from attending, as Michael smashed the all-time record for an opening for a biopic, earning $97 million at the domestic box office and $217 million globally.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Massie came to Congress as a spending hawk, and more than a decade later, that remains his signature issue and the source of many of his disagreements with GOP leaders.—
Russell Berman,
The Atlantic,
25 Apr. 2026
-
But six months after a high-profile IPO, the company’s share price has crashed, and its CEO and CFO both left their posts this weekend, reportedly over disagreements about whether to sell the firm (Fermi didn’t respond to a request for comment).—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Speaking with the Tribune on Monday, Talley’s mother, Tamika Vaughen, said her son has been in and out of treatment facilities and medicated for mental health challenges his entire life.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The book, along with the show and 50 artists, really challenges old notions of what textile is.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
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
Verb
-
The Senate typically debates and passes its budget in the week before Memorial Day.—
State House News Service,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Early voting in the midterm primaries starts Monday in Georgia, and voters were given a chance to see all the Republican hopefuls on one stage at the Atlanta Press Club debates Sunday.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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
Noun
-
Avoid money quarrels with everyone.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 Feb. 2026
-
His quarrels with Massie and interest in relitigating the 2020 election seem to animate him more, too.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Continue reading … SECURITY SHAKEUP — Lawmaker questions hotel metal detector setup at Correspondent's Dinner.—
,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, there has been a major shift in Washington’s regulatory tone and outlook, creating opportunities but also questions about the longevity of changes in rules.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disputes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disputes. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
