Meaning & use
disputes
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“disputes” is a form of “dispute”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounusually plural
Serious arguments or disagreements between people, groups or countries, especially about a specific issue.
Grammar: Plural of dispute: disputes over land arise often.
Patterns
- disputes over something
- disputes between people
The two companies settled their disputes in court.
Disputes over boundaries have lasted for years.
Workers filed several disputes about overtime pay.
verbtransitive
Says that something is not true or correct, or argues against it.
Grammar: Takes an object with he/she/it: she disputes the claim.
Patterns
- someone disputes a claim
- someone disputes that something is true
He disputes the bill and refuses to pay.
The company disputes that the product caused any harm.
She disputes every point in the report.
Word forms
| singular | dispute |
|---|---|
| past tense | disputed |
| -ing form | disputing |
Common combinations
- settle disputes
- The mediator helped settle disputes between neighbors.
- resolve disputes
- Courts exist to resolve disputes fairly.
- border disputes
- Border disputes have troubled the region for decades.
- pay disputes
- Pay disputes led to a strike.
- disputes arise
- Disputes arise when expectations are unclear.
Synonyms and how they differ
- arguments
- Arguments is broader and can be a short quarrel, while disputes suggests a serious issue that needs settling.
- conflicts
- Conflicts can be violent or deep and long-lasting, while disputes are more often about a particular matter.
- quarrels
- Quarrels are usually personal and emotional, whereas disputes can be formal or legal.
- disagreements
- Disagreements is milder and may be polite, while disputes implies stronger opposition.
Opposites
Word family
- dispute noun
- an argument or disagreement
- disputed adjective
- not accepted by everyone
- disputable adjective
- open to argument
- indisputable adjective
- impossible to deny
Commonly confused: disputes or deputes?
disputes vs deputes
Deputes is a different, rare verb meaning to appoint someone to act for you, and it is not related in meaning to disputes.
Practice
The two neighbors have had several ___ over the fence.
Choose one answer.
Disputes are disagreements about an issue such as a fence. Agreements is the opposite meaning, and the other options do not fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “disputes”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.