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Meaning & use

open dispute

noun·Advancedformal

Last updated

UK/ˌəʊpən dɪˈspjuːt/
US/ˌoʊpən dɪˈspjuːt/

Meanings

  1. nouncountableformal

    A disagreement or argument that is known to everyone and not kept secret.

    Grammar: Countable: you can say 'an open dispute' or 'open disputes.'

    Patterns

    • an open dispute about something
    • an open dispute between people
    • be in open dispute with someone

    The two companies are in an open dispute about the ownership of the land.

    Their open dispute over the budget lasted for months.

    The open dispute between the neighbors became a public issue.

  2. nouncountablelegal

    A legal disagreement that is officially brought to court or a formal body.

    Grammar: Often used in legal contexts: 'an open dispute before the tribunal.'

    Patterns

    • bring an open dispute to court
    • resolve an open dispute
    • an open dispute over something

    The open dispute over the contract will be heard next month.

    They settled the open dispute without going to trial.

    The open dispute regarding the inheritance was finally resolved.

Word forms

pluralopen disputes

Common combinations

an open dispute about
There is an open dispute about who should pay for the repairs.
be in open dispute
The two departments are in open dispute over the new policy.
resolve an open dispute
The mediator helped them resolve the open dispute.
an open dispute between
The open dispute between the two families was well known.
a long-running open dispute
The long-running open dispute has damaged their relationship.

Synonyms and how they differ

public argument
More informal and general; it does not necessarily imply a formal or legal context.
controversy
Focuses on public disagreement about ideas or actions, not a personal dispute.
conflict
Stronger and broader; can refer to fighting or serious opposition, not just a disagreement.

Opposites

agreementsettlement

Word family

dispute verb
To argue against something or question its truth.
disputed adjective
Describing something that people disagree about.
disputation noun
Formal academic debate or argument.

Commonly confused: open dispute or open question?

open dispute vs open question

An 'open question' is a matter that is not yet decided; an 'open dispute' is a conflict that is not hidden.

Practice

The two nations are in ______ dispute over the border.

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