dispute

/dɪˈspjuːt/ (verb), /ˈdɪs.pjuːt/ or /dɪˈspjuːt/ (noun)

Say it: dis-PYOOT (verb), DIS-pyoot or dis-PYOOT (noun)

1. noun A disagreement, argument, or debate, often over a specific issue.
The two drivers had a dispute over who was at fault in the accident.
2. verb To question whether a statement, fact, or claim is true or valid.
She called the credit card company to dispute a charge on her bill.
3. verb To argue or express disagreement about something.
The players continued to dispute the referee's decision long after the game.
4. verb To compete for or try to win something, such as a prize or control.
The two companies are disputing control of the lucrative market.

📖 Seen in the wild

The long-standing border dispute between the two nations often led to diplomatic tensions.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ dispute in a sentence

The ongoing labor dispute has shut down the factory for three weeks.
It is difficult to dispute the evidence presented by the prosecution.
My brother and I used to dispute who got to sit in the front seat of the car.
The ownership of the ancient manuscript is still in dispute.
The senator's voting record is a matter of public record and not open to dispute.
They settled their dispute out of court to avoid a lengthy legal battle.
I don't dispute your right to be here, but I do question your methods.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

argument conflict disagreement controversy quarrel contention altercation debate

argument · often implies a more personal or emotional exchange.

conflict · suggests a more serious and prolonged struggle or clash.

disagreement · is a broader and often milder term for a difference of opinion.

controversy · refers to a public dispute involving many people and opposing opinions.

Opposites: agreement, accord, harmony, consensus, concurrence

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'dispute' traces back to the Latin 'disputare', which meant 'to examine' or 'to discuss'. It's formed from 'dis-', meaning 'apart', and 'putare', meaning 'to reckon or think'. The idea was of pulling a topic apart to examine it from all sides, a sense that still survives when we dispute the facts of a case.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

bitter disputelegal disputeresolve a disputein disputedispute a claimdispute the facts

Pay attention to pronunciation, which changes with the part of speech. The verb is always stressed on the second syllable (dis-PYOOT). The noun is most commonly stressed on the first syllable (DIS-pyoot), especially in American English, though the second-syllable stress is also accepted. While 'dispute' can be used for any disagreement, it often implies a more formal or factual disagreement than 'argument' or 'fight'.

Word family: disputable, indisputable, disputant, disputation

💬 Quick answers

What does 'dispute' mean?

A dispute is a serious disagreement or argument. As a verb, to dispute something means to question its truth or validity, or to argue about it.

What is the difference between a dispute and an argument?

A dispute is often more formal or official than an argument and may involve a specific issue like a legal claim or a bill. An argument can be more personal and emotional.

How do you pronounce 'dispute'?

As a verb, the stress is on the second syllable: dis-PYOOT. As a noun, the stress can be on the first syllable (DIS-pyoot) or the second (dis-PYOOT), with the first being more common.

Is 'dispute' a formal word?

'Dispute' is a neutral word suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is common in legal, business, and political discussions but is also used in everyday conversation.

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