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.
Mr. Burnham might solve Labour’s political problem for a time to the extent he’s more popular than Mr. Starmer, especially among Labour’s disputatious base.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
“John Proctor” may sound like a relentlessly disputatious drama, but it’s a deeply emotional work.
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2025
Private, internal anger at his failings was a good thing, he claimed, a "disputatious culture" better than a "quietly acquiescent" one.
From BBC • Dec. 6, 2023
The incident prompted the gathering of a scrum of disputatious players and team personnel at center court that eventually broke up without serious incident.
From New York Times • Nov. 9, 2021
The closest I ever got was one day when he was escorted down from the mess hall after an argument with the disputatious Officer Colon, who was always stirring things up.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
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.
