Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
dispute (verb)intransitive verb
transitive verb
to engage in argument - debate , especially to argue irritably or with irritating persistence
1.
a) to make the subject of - disputation legislators hotly disputed the bill
b) to call into question - her honesty was never disputed
2.
a) to struggle against - oppose disputed the advance of the invaders
b) to contend over - both sides disputed the bridgehead
1.
a) verbal controversy - debate
b) - quarrel
2.
obsolete physical combat
Merriam-Webster Online Thesaurus
dispute (noun)1.
variance of opinion on a matter
SYNONIMS:
contestation, controversy, debate, difference, difficulty, disputation, dispute, dissension ( dissention), dissensus, firestorm, nonconcurrenceRELATED WORDS:
clash, collision, conflict, confliction, disaccord, discord, dissonance; apartness, divarication, division; combat, contention, strife, struggle; altercation, argument, bicker, falling-out, fight, kickup, misunderstanding, quarrel, set-toNEAR ANTONYMS:
acceptance, compliance; concord, peace2.
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
SYNONIMS:
altercation, argle-bargle, argy-bargy, battle royal, bicker, brawl, contretemps, controversy, cross fire, disagreement, dispute, donnybrook, falling-out, fight, hassle, imbroglio, kickup, misunderstanding, quarrel, rhubarb, row, scrap, set-to, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangleRELATED WORDS:
clash, run-in, skirmish, tangle, tussle; logomachy; feud, vendetta; attack, contention, dissension ( dissention); debate, difference, disputation; fuss, objection, protest, protestation; affray [], fisticuffs, fracas, fray, free-for-all, melee ( mêlée); catfight1.
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of
SYNONIMS:
contest, dispute, impeach, oppugn, query, questionRELATED WORDS:
doubt, mistrust; kick (about), object (to), protest; combat, fight, oppose, resistNEAR ANTONYMS:
back, defend, support; advocate, champion, promote; abide, endure, stomach, tolerate2.
to express different opinions about something often angrily
SYNONIMS:
altercate, argufy, bicker, brabble, brawl, controvert, dispute, fall out, fight, hassle, jar, quarrel, quibble, row, scrap, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangleRELATED WORDS:
challenge, dare, defy; clash, contend, contest, tangle; cavil, fuss, nitpick; consider, debate, discuss; kick, object, protestNEAR ANTONYMS:
coexist, get along; accept, agree, assent, concur, consent3.
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion
SYNONIMS:
agitate, argue, bandy, bat (around back and forth), canvass ( canvas), debate, dispute, hash (over out), moot, talk overRELATED WORDS:
review, speak (about), talk (about); broach, introduce, propound, raise, stir up; forge, hammer out, talk out, thrash (out), wrestle (with); chew over, consider, deliberate, weigh