disputed
Americanadjective
-
argued or debated about.
Just when and where the religious practice of the “camp meeting” originated is a disputed question.
-
argued against; called into question.
He stood by his widely disputed claim that margarine is better for you than butter.
-
quarreled or fought over; contested.
As negotiations continue, the security situation in the disputed territories is tense and shows signs of escalating.
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of disputed
First recorded in 1605–15; dispute ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. ) for the adjective senses; dispute ( def. ) + -ed 1 ( def. ) for the verb sense
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.
Prosecutor Jennifer Sprague disputed the claim of insufficient evidence as a "laughable argument."
From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026
Luna disputed Villanueva’s claims that there aren’t enough deputies to maintain an effective department.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
That signal helped the team resolve evolutionary trees that had remained disputed for decades.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 30, 2026
During a session with reporters at the event, Huang disputed the idea that AI safety and innovation are in conflict with one another.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
It was the roar of the damned that filled Broadway, where motor cars and buses and the hurrying people disputed every inch with death.
From "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin
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.
