adjective
Common
disputed
dihs-PYOO-tihd
Disputed (adjective) means not agreed upon; still being argued over or questioned. Example: “The disputed territory has changed hands several times.”
adjective
1
Not agreed upon; still being argued over or questioned.
"The theory, though common, was widely disputed."
"The etymology of the term Japlish is disputed and contentiously so."
— James Lambert, A multitude of ‘lishes’: The nomenclature of hybridity (2018)
"The disputed territory has changed hands several times."
"The result of the match remains disputed, with both teams claiming victory."
"Nobody could prove who owned the disputed painting."
How to use disputed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStill being argued about; not settled.
Common pairings
disputed territory
hotly disputed
disputed claim
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more disputed
- Superlative
- most disputed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ territory has changed hands several times.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for disputed
muted
routed
diluted
reputed
sprouted
polluted
computed
convoluted
undisputed
attributed
distributed
See all rhymes for disputed →
Frequently asked questions
What does “disputed” mean?
The word “disputed” means not agreed upon; still being argued over or questioned. In plain terms, still being argued about; not settled.
How do you pronounce “disputed”?
“Disputed” is pronounced dihs-PYOO-tihd (/dɪsˈpjutɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “disputed” in a sentence?
Here is “disputed” used in a sentence: “The disputed territory has changed hands several times.”
What part of speech is “disputed”?
“Disputed” is an adjective.
Is “disputed” a common word?
“Disputed” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between disputed and disproven?
Disputed means a claim or fact is still being argued over or questioned, with no settled agreement either way. Disproven means the claim has already been shown to be false through evidence or argument, ending the debate.
What kinds of things are commonly described as disputed?
Disputed commonly describes territory, claims, facts, elections, or ownership, as in 'disputed border' or 'disputed election results.' The word signals active disagreement rather than a final, settled outcome.
Is disputed the same as controversial?
Disputed and controversial overlap but are not identical: disputed focuses on facts or claims not yet agreed upon, while controversial describes something that provokes strong disagreement or differing opinions, which may or may not involve unresolved facts.
