1
as in questioning
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bickering
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 discussing
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 disputing
In light of Robinson’s death, her family is disputing authorities’ ruling that the 31-year-old influencer died by suicide.
—
Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Israel's continued attacks in Lebanon have posed an ongoing threat to the fragile truce, with Israel disputing that the agreement extended to its operations against Hezbollah.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
News article, disputing aspects of the report.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
The Dallas Mavericks released a statement to Dallas media outlet DLLS on Tuesday afternoon, disputing that Reaves’ first MRI on Saturday was incorrectly administered.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
Legal challenges across the country have put holds on many of the measures, disputing whether the bans violate First Amendment protections.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
Ferreira seemed to query the specifics without disputing the broader idea.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 6 Apr. 2026
In the top of the seventh, Vitello was ejected for the first time in his brief major league career after disputing the call at first base when Encarnacion appeared to veer out of the base path on a comebacker.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2026
Law firm Ancel Glink, which represents Harvey and was the recipient of the letter, said in a statement the city is disputing the finding on the basis the determination was based on taxes levied, rather than taxes collected.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Israel's continued attacks in Lebanon have posed an ongoing threat to the fragile truce, with Israel disputing that the agreement extended to its operations against Hezbollah.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
News article, disputing aspects of the report.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
The Dallas Mavericks released a statement to Dallas media outlet DLLS on Tuesday afternoon, disputing that Reaves’ first MRI on Saturday was incorrectly administered.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
Legal challenges across the country have put holds on many of the measures, disputing whether the bans violate First Amendment protections.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
Ferreira seemed to query the specifics without disputing the broader idea.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 6 Apr. 2026
In the top of the seventh, Vitello was ejected for the first time in his brief major league career after disputing the call at first base when Encarnacion appeared to veer out of the base path on a comebacker.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2026
Law firm Ancel Glink, which represents Harvey and was the recipient of the letter, said in a statement the city is disputing the finding on the basis the determination was based on taxes levied, rather than taxes collected.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disputing
Verb
-
The aggressive political gains DeSantis and Republicans seek also have some in the party questioning whether the new map would put GOP incumbents at risk of losing future elections.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Despite the apology, Camp Mystic’s plans to reopen in late May with nearly 900 girls have angered victims’ families, and state officials are questioning whether the license should be renewed.—
Jim Vertuno,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For those of us interested in governing and not bickering, this is a good thing.—
Gail Slater,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2026
-
In some states, lawmakers are still bickering over how money should be spent.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Twin Cities,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For the second time this week, the state Senate spent hours discussing complicated technology legislation, with lawmakers once again advancing a bill over strong objections that regulating rapidly changing technology could negatively affect local businesses.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
-
At the start of the episode, the Awards Circuit Roundtable is back — and discussing some of the biggest Emmy news, including how submissions are down and what that will mean for this year’s race.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
So your rotations aren’t just about contesting 3s.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Under Mayor Bill de Blasio, the city initiated a policy of rarely contesting such claims, meaning that, in most cases, all a family had to do to get reimbursed—to the tune of $102,000 a student on average last year—was hire a lawyer.—
Marc Novicoff,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Video obtained by The News shows the victim arguing with the dog owner when a woman in red storms up and starts swinging.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The West Texas project recently received the largest air pollution permit ever granted in the US, while Musk’s Memphis project has faced multiple lawsuits arguing the gas turbines are worsening air quality in historically Black communities.—
Mark Chediak,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Idaho lawmakers spent hours debating a surge in rodents menacing Boise-area gardens and kitchens and threatening agriculture and public health.—
Karin Brulliard,
Washington Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The hoods might just as well evoke the garb of Christian monks debating whether the soul is distinct from the body.—
Dawn Chan,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Meeting a partner’s family can be challenging in any circumstance; anxieties about a family member saying something rude or belittling can only compound that.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Alexis and a group called Friends of the Plaza are challenging the city’s use of an emergency exemption to decommission the sculpture.—
Leigh Anne Miller,
ARTnews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Orange County fire officials said firefighters were fighting the blaze on the ground and from the air.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Viel also finished the game by fighting Podkolzin.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disputing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disputing. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
