disputatious
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of disputatious
First recorded in 1650–60; disputati(on) + -ous
Explanation
If you're always looking for a fight, consider yourself disputatious. However, disputatious is more appropriate for the head of the debate team rather than the playground bully. Disputatious is a somewhat old-fashioned term now. In every day speech we'd probably use a dozen more colorful words, many not printable here. The one area where it does live on is in the legal sphere — two battling parties are often said to be disputatious. And, in fact, an extreme form of being disputatious often involves frequently taking people to court, or being litigious. Only lawyers love disputatious, litigious people.
Vocabulary lists containing disputatious
"Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District," Vocabulary from the Supreme Court decision
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The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
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"Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Disputatious county music king and queen George Jones and Tammy Wynette get a double biopic on Showtime.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2023
Disputatious the rankings may be but they do add a context to the game and offer something at which to aim.
From The Guardian • Aug. 9, 2011
Long live—long will live—the glad memory of William Hamilton, Good, Learned, Acute, and Disputatious!
From A Budget of Paradoxes, Volume I by Smith, David Eugene
Disputatious people, passionate people, those who indulge in personalities, and those who meddle with what don't concern them, are very apt to wish they had let well enough alone.
From Godey's Lady's Book, Vol. 42, January, 1851 by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
