Synonyms for dispute
- noun
- verb
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Quarrel — an argument or disagreement; a failure to agree. A disagreement between parties in a contract, lawsuit…
quarrel, squabble, disagreement, argument, conflict, altercation, controversy, feud, debate, contention, brawl, disputation, spat, issue, wrangle, contestation, claim, discussion, wrangling, bickering, fight, clash
2. Difference
Other
Verb
1. Gainsay
gainsay formal, challenge, oppose, contradict, impugn, deny, refute, contravene, controvert
Other
Definitions
- n. 1
An argument or disagreement; a failure to agree. A disagreement between parties in a contract, lawsuit, treaty, or other legal matter.
- n. 2
An argument or disagreement; a failure to agree.
- v. 1
To contend in argument; to argue against something maintained, upheld, or claimed, by another.
- v. 2
To make a subject of disputation; to argue pro and con; to discuss.
Some residents disputed the proposal, saying it was based more on emotion than fact.
Related words
- Word family
- disputably disputable disputant disputation disputatious disputative
Choose the right word
A dispute may be personal, fractious, and petty; a debate is formal and orderly; if otherwise, it becomes a mere wrangle.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- argument No one could get the better of him in an argument.
- disagreement Tom intervened in his coworkers' disagreement.
- quarrel The quarrel left a gulf between the two families.
- squabble The diplomatic squabble flared into an open war.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| dispute | steady | |
| argument | steady | |
| disagreement | falling | |
| quarrel | falling | |
| squabble | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- deny2, feud1, spat1, moot1
- 5 letters
- issue2, fight1, claim1, argue2, clash1, scrap1, brawl1
- 6 letters
- reason2, debate2, differ2, oppose2, refute2, impugn2, argufy
- 7 letters
- discuss2, contend2, quarrel2, canvass2, quibble2, wrangle2, polemic3, agitate3, gainsay2
- 8 letters
- argument3, conflict2, disagree3, squabble2
- 9 letters
- challenge2, bickering3, wrangling3, altercate
- 10 letters
- difference3, discussion3, contention3, contradict3, contravene3, controvert
- 11 letters
- controversy4, altercation4, disputation4
- 12 letters
- disagreement4, contestation
- 13 letters
- contravention4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (deny2 = 2 syllables).