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dispute

dispute

345 3.0
A serious argument about something important that lasts a long time
  • noun
  • /dɪˈspjuːt/
: disputa
  • At the heart of these allegations lies a political dispute between the two elective branches.
  • resolve disputes
  • settle disputes
  • dispute resolution

But then now we're having a dispute about specific facts.

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Examples

  • We live in a society where judges and justices resolve disputes between parties.

  • Three recent cases called on courts to intervene in disputes between clergy and a congregation.

    Academic text (1999)
  • And the Child Support dispute when he wanted to lower it.

  • Though the board noted the dispute, it took no action on the case.

    Academic text (2011)
  • But then now we're having a dispute about specific facts.

  • Is this a land dispute or is this a moral question?

  • I was wondering if you could help settle the dispute that my crew and I seem to be having.

  • And that means that there will be disputes over fishing areas.

  • The Court is responsible for solving disputes arising among or between Member States and Community institutions.

    Academic text (1990)
  • The organization has been struggling with internal disputes about finances and leadership.

Synonyms

debate
vsdispute
  • Formal
∞ 2.0

A formal discussion where opposing sides argue about a topic

is less formal and focuses on serious, possibly lasting disagreement
argument
vsdispute
687 2.3

A disagreement between people that is often angry

is a serious disagreement that can last longer and involve issues
controversy
vsdispute
490 4.9

A long public disagreement that causes strong arguments between people

is similar but can be private and not necessarily public or prolonged
conflict
vsdispute
482 2.3

A serious disagreement between people or groups over ideas

is focused on an important quarrel that can be prolonged rather than just opposition
fight
vsdispute
298 2.4

A strong argument between people or groups, often public

is the broader term for a serious argument, not necessarily public
disagreement
vsdispute
231 1.6

A situation when people do not have the same opinion

is stronger, stressing seriousness and possible long duration rather than mere difference
confrontation
vsdispute
230 4.5

A situation when people or groups meet in direct conflict, often angrily

is broader serious disagreement not always face-to-face or hostile
clash
vsdispute
117 3.2

A short conflict between people or groups

covers serious disagreement more generally, not only direct confrontations
quarrel
vsdispute
63 2.0

An angry argument between people who are usually friendly

is broader, covering serious disputes beyond personal relationships
difference of opinion
vsdispute
  • Specialized
37 3.5

A situation where two or more people disagree about something important

is more intense and often involves important, lasting disagreement
contention
vsdispute
28 6.5

A strong disagreement between people or groups

is the broader serious argument that may include ongoing disagreement
row
vsdispute
  • UK
24 6.0

A noisy argument between people

is similar but can be less noisy and more formal or prolonged
collision
vsdispute
23 3.7

A strong clash between ideas or goals

is the lived serious disagreement rather than just conceptual opposition
wrangling
vsdispute
17 6.7

A long heated argument about a specific issue

is the general serious disagreement that may last without focusing on one point
heated debate
vsdispute
16 3.5

An argument with strong feelings and different opinions

is the general serious disagreement that may be less like a formal discussion
heated argument
vsdispute
8 3.5

A strong angry disagreement between people with loud voices

is the same seriousness but may not always be emotionally charged
wrangle
vsdispute
2 7.4

A noisy argument that lasts a long time

emphasizes a serious or long disagreement that may not be noisy
disputation
vsdispute
  • Formal
2 8.5

A formal debate where people argue and may vote to decide

is a general serious disagreement that may be informal and lasting
contestation
vsdispute
  • Formal
1 8.4

A strong disagreement about something important

is the resulting serious disagreement that can persist over time
1 7.8

A bitter, angry argument that causes hard feelings

is serious and possibly long but not necessarily bitter in tone
disceptation
vsdispute
  • Archaic
9.9

A formal debate with strong disagreement

is broader and can apply to serious disputes outside formal debate settings

Antonyms

214 1.0

A situation in which people have the same opinion or give their approval

125 2.5

Agreement and peaceful working together between people or ideas

How Serious

feud
86 4.2
conflict
482 2.3
controversy
490 4.9
dispute
345 3.0
argument
687 2.3
disagreement
231 1.6

Surface Forms

dispute singular
disputes plural

Etymology

Dispute comes from the old parts dis- meaning 'apart' and putare meaning 'to think', the same root you see in reputation. So a dispute is when people's thoughts are 'apart', which is why it means a serious disagreement.