definitions

dispute

[ dih-spyoot ]
/ dɪˈspyut /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dispute ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), dis·put·ed, dis·put·ing.

to engage in argument or debate.
to argue vehemently; wrangle or quarrel.

verb (used with object), dis·put·ed, dis·put·ing.

noun

a debate, controversy, or difference of opinion.
a wrangling argument; quarrel.

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RELATED WORDS

row, squabble, discord, wrangle, brawl, discussion, disagreement, misunderstanding, friction, controversy, feud, disturbance, strife, debate, conflict, quarrel, bickering, contend, deny, contest

Nearby words

dispur, disputable, disputant, disputation, disputatious, dispute, disqualification, disqualify, disquantity, disquiet, disquieting

Origin of dispute

1275–1325; Middle English (< Anglo-French, Old French desputer) < Latin disputāre to argue a point, equivalent to dis- dis-1 + putāre to reckon, consider; see putative
Related forms
Can be confuseddispute refute

Synonym study

8. See argument.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for dispute

British Dictionary definitions for dispute

dispute

verb (dɪˈspjuːt)

to argue, debate, or quarrel about (something)
(tr; may take a clause as object) to doubt the validity, etc, of
(tr) to seek to win; contest for
(tr) to struggle against; resist

noun (dɪˈspjuːt, ˈdɪspjuːt)

an argument or quarrel
Derived Formsdisputer, noun

Word Origin for dispute

C13: from Late Latin disputāre to contend verbally, from Latin: to discuss, from dis- 1 + putāre to think
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for dispute

dispute

v.

c.1300, from Old French desputer (12c.) "dispute, fight over, contend for, discuss," from Latin disputare "weigh, examine, discuss, argue, explain," from dis- "separately" (see dis-) + putare "to count, consider," originally "to prune" (see pave).

Used in Vulgate in sense of "to argue, contend with words." Related: Disputable; disputed; disputing. The noun is not certainly recorded before 1590s (disputacioun in that sense is from late 14c.).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Idioms and Phrases with dispute

dispute

see in dispute.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.