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to dispute

to dispute

158 3.5
To argue about something or question if it is true
  • verb
  • /dɪˈspjuːt/
translation icon : cuestionar
  • During the debate, she chose to dispute the statistics presented by her opponent.
  • dispute a claim
  • dispute the fact
  • dispute the evidence

I mean, he's free to dispute the facts, you know?

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Examples

  • And now, for the second time in ten years, Eritrea was openly disputing that border.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • For my part, I would hardly wish to dispute the accuracy of Naipaul's depiction.

    Academic text (1990)
  • It's now people who might dispute you as being the person who could lead.

  • We will also describe the accounts of primary sources which dispute these claims.

  • Is that what you dispute?

  • I'm going to have to dispute that with you.

  • Does the Prime Minister dispute her own government survey or dispute the experience of the claimants?

  • This time, nobody can dispute the rightness of what we're doing.

  • I think the president would dispute that any incapacity exists.

  • The pervasive growth of online courses cannot be disputed, even though their effectiveness often is.

    Academic text (2008)

Synonyms

to question
vsto dispute
777 3.5

To express doubt about whether something is true

is wider, also including open arguments and formal objections
to argue
vsto dispute
607 1.1

To speak angrily with someone because you disagree

can be calmer and focus on questioning truth rather than anger
to challenge
vsto dispute
  • Formal
552 4.3

To officially say that a decision, person, or evidence is not acceptable

is less formal, including everyday arguing and simple questioning
to contend
vsto dispute
  • Formal
97 4.6

Argue or claim that something is wrong, often in a formal process

is more general, applying to any argument or questioning of truth
to contest
vsto dispute
  • Formal
65 4.6

To officially disagree with a result and try to change it

is broader, also fitting informal arguments and casual doubts
to argue over
vsto dispute
36 2.9

To talk with someone because you disagree about something

also covers questioning truth or validity, not only personal disagreements
to call into question
vsto dispute
33 4.5

To say that something may not be true or right

is broader, covering arguing or debating as well as doubting validity
to gainsay
vsto dispute
  • Formal
1 9.9

To say something is not true

is broader, including arguing, questioning, and formal objections
to argufy
vsto dispute
  • Archaic
9.9

To disagree angrily about small, unimportant things

is more general, covering serious arguments and questions of validity

Antonyms

1.0

Have the same opinion or say yes

1.3

To believe or agree that something is true

How Forceful

to disprove
66 4.5
to refute
  • Formal
88 6.2
to dispute
158 3.5
to argue
2.8
to challenge
  • Formal
552 4.3
to question
777 3.5

Surface Forms

dispute infinitive
disputed past
disputed past participle
disputing present participle
disputes third person singular

Etymology

The verb dispute comes from the same roots dis- 'apart' and putare 'to think', and it once meant 'to examine' or 'argue'. So to dispute something is to set ideas 'apart' and to question or argue that it is not true.