Meaning

An argument or disagreement; a failure to agree..

Definitions by Sense

1. An argument or disagreement; a failure to agree.
2. (uncountable) Verbal controversy or disagreement; altercation; debate.
3. (intransitive) to contend in argument; to argue against something maintained, upheld, or claimed, by another.
4. (transitive) to make a subject of disputation; to argue pro and con; to discuss
5. to oppose by argument or assertion; to controvert; to express dissent or opposition to; to call in question; to deny the truth or validity of
6. to strive or contend about; to contest
7. (obsolete) to struggle against; to resist

Example Sentences

But is not this dispute over the question whether we have free will or not very like a dispute that we might engage in over the color of a tree — whether it be green or blue?

Addicted more / To contemplation and profound dispute.

"Now, though thy thoughts are green and tender, as becometh one so young, yet are they those of a thinking brain, and in truth thou dost bring back to my mind certain of those old philosophers with whom in days bygone I have disputed at Athens, and at Becca in Arabia, for thou hast the same crabbed air and dusty look, as though thou hadst passed thy days in reading ill-writ Greek, and been stained dark with the grime of manuscripts."

Some residents disputed the proposal, saying it was based more on emotion than fact.

to dispute assertions or arguments

to seize goods under the disputed authority of writs of assistance

to dispute the possession of the ground with the Spaniards

Dispute it [grief] like a man.

Word Forms

• disputes
• disputing
• disputed

Synonyms for dispute

Antonyms for dispute

Related Words

When Should You Use Dispute?

Use dispute when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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