dispute

[dih-spyoot]

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.

to argue or debate about; discuss.

to argue against; call in question: to dispute a proposal.

to quarrel or fight about; contest.

to strive against; oppose: to dispute an advance of troops.

noun

a debate, controversy, or difference of opinion.

a wrangling argument; quarrel.

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 formsdis·pute·less, adjectivedis·put·er, nounpre·dis·pute, noun, verb, pre·dis·put·ed, pre·dis·put·ing.re·dis·pute, verb, re·dis·put·ed, re·dis·put·ing.un·dis·put·ed, adjectiveun·dis·put·ed·ly, adverbun·dis·put·ing, adjectivewell-dis·put·ed, adjective

Can be confuseddispute refute

Synonyms for dispute

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dispute ON THESAURUS.COM

2. bicker, squabble. 8. disputation, altercation, wrangle, bickering, squabble.

Synonym study

8. See argument.

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

Related Words for dispute

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

Examples from the Web for dispute

Contemporary Examples of dispute

Despite the strong language, however, the neither the JPO nor Lockheed could dispute a single fact in either Daily Beast report.
Pentagon Misfires in Stealth Jet Scandal
Dave Majumdar
January 8, 2015
At least for now, because few things about this dispute are absolutely certain.
In the Middle East, the Two-State Solution Is Dead
Dean Obeidallah
January 2, 2015
After two years, the dispute ended with an arbitration ruling in favor of Savage.
The Godfather of Right-Wing Radio
Caitlin Dickson
November 23, 2014
But only recently did this dispute spread to the lily-white slopes of a Montana ski resort.
A Racist’s Crazy Ski Resort Smackdown
James Kirchick
October 18, 2014
But the outlines of that dispute spilled out into the open this week.
Exclusive: Turkey OK’s American Drones to Fight ISIS
Eli Lake, Josh Rogin
October 16, 2014

Historical Examples of dispute

But it was always my notion, that children should not dispute their parents' authority.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
But, if it be to ease her heart, and not to dispute my will, you may hear her out.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
The beauty of the Turkish women is still a matter of dispute.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327
Various
I could not dispute the evidence of the bit of shivered glass.
The Bacillus of Beauty
Harriet Stark
Now, where there is an et cetera in an agreement, there is always an opening for dispute.
Tales And Novels, Volume 4 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth

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

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.).

Idioms and Phrases with dispute

dispute

see in dispute.