dispute
dihs-PYOOT
Dispute (noun) means a disagreement or argument between people, often a formal or ongoing one. Example: “The two companies settled their dispute out of court.”
noun
1
A disagreement or argument between people, often a formal or ongoing one.
"The two companies settled their dispute out of court."
"A border dispute has strained relations between the neighboring countries for decades."
"The neighbours had a long dispute over who should pay for the shared fence."
verb
1
To argue against or question the truth or validity of something.
"She disputed the referee's decision immediately."
"Nobody disputes that the museum is worth a visit."
"The tenants disputed the bill and asked the landlord for a full breakdown."
How to use dispute
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA disagreement, or to argue that something is not true or fair.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
legal dispute
dispute a claim
settle a dispute
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Word forms
- Plural
- disputes
- Third person singular
- disputes
- Past tense
- disputed
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The two companies settled their _____ out of court.
Etymology
From Old French desputer, from Latin disputare, "to examine or discuss," from dis- ("apart") + putare ("to reckon, consider").
Synonyms
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quarrel
argufy
scrap
altercate
gainsay
challenge
argument
argy-bargy
altercation
contention
barney
bawl out
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dispute
See all rhymes for dispute →Frequently asked questions
What does “dispute” mean?
The word “dispute” means a disagreement or argument between people, often a formal or ongoing one. In plain terms, a disagreement, or to argue that something is not true or fair.
How do you pronounce “dispute”?
“Dispute” is pronounced dihs-PYOOT (/ˈdɪs.pjut/ in IPA).
How do you use “dispute” in a sentence?
Here is “dispute” used in a sentence: “The two companies settled their dispute out of court.”
What is another word for “dispute”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dispute” include argument, argy-bargy, altercation, contention, barney and bawl out.
What is the opposite of “dispute”?
The opposite of “dispute” — its antonyms — are accord, agreement, assent, concord and concordance.
What part of speech is “dispute”?
Depending on how it is used, “dispute” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “dispute” come from?
The word “dispute” comes from Latin. From Old French desputer, from Latin disputare, "to examine or discuss," from dis- ("apart") + putare ("to reckon, consider").
Is “dispute” a common word?
“Dispute” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "dispute" and "argument"?
An argument is any exchange of opposing views and can be brief, while a dispute usually refers to a more serious, formal, or prolonged disagreement, often between parties such as companies, neighbours, or nations. All disputes involve argument, but not every argument becomes a dispute.
When should you use "dispute" as a verb instead of "argue"?
Use "dispute" when you specifically challenge the truth or validity of a claim, as in "she disputed the charges." "Argue" is broader and can mean to state a case, discuss, or simply quarrel.
What is the difference between "dispute" and "debate"?
A debate is an organised, often civil discussion of a topic from different sides, while a dispute implies genuine conflict and disagreement. A debate can be friendly and structured; a dispute rarely is.
What are common collocations with "dispute"?
Common phrases include "in dispute," "settle a dispute," "legal dispute," "pay dispute," and "beyond dispute." The last means something is certain and cannot reasonably be questioned.
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