Meaning & use

dispute

noun·Academic

A disagreement or argument between people or groups, especially one that is prolonged or formal.

See it in a sentence

The two neighbors finally settled their long property dispute in court.

A labor dispute delayed production at the factory for nearly a month.

A note on using this word

Dispute is often used with 'settle,' 'resolve,' or 'over,' and can range from a minor disagreement to a formal legal conflict.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

agreementaccord

Another way to use it

2. verb

To argue about something, or to question whether a fact or claim is true or valid.

Lawyers for both sides disputed the accuracy of the accident report.

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