DISPUTED Synonyms: 158 Similar and Opposite Words

disputed 1 of 2

adjective

as in controversial

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disputed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of dispute

as in questioned

to demand proof of the truth or rightness of a whole slew of relatives eager to dispute his claim to being the sole heir

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as in bickered

to express different opinions about something often angrily hometown fans disputing with visiting fans over which had the better team

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in debated

to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion in an extended session the city council disputed the need for a new high school

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of disputed

Adjective

The Times reported that months after the disputed 2009 election, the Guards' intelligence division was elevated into an independent organization with Taeb as its first chief. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Ask whether the methodology is published in enough detail to reproduce, and who arbitrates a disputed grade. — Janakiram Msv, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026 The investigation began nearly two months after Sessions supplemented his disputed testimony and was initially based on a letter from two Democratic senators. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 10 Aug. 2026 The British military maritime operations center said a tanker was attacked Tuesday in the disputed area. — Jane Arraf, NPR, 22 July 2026 For years, Washington refused to recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president after his disputed 2018 reelection and instead recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the country’s interim president. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026 Salisbury blamed delays in resolving cases in part on a 2021 law that mandates full trial boards in disputed misconduct complaints involving police officers, even for minor disciplinary infractions. — Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 1 July 2026 The Louisville Counter-Claim Here’s where the story gets genuinely interesting for anyone who loves a disputed first. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026 There was violence after the disputed 2025 reelection of 92-year-old Cameroonian President Paul Biya, who first came to power in 1982. — Mathew Schmalz, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026

Verb

Paul Schmidt, a Covington & Burling trial attorney representing Meta, contested O'Neill's arguments, and disputed the notion that Meta executives misled the public with their statements about child safety. — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026 Cox disputed claims Wells was left stranded when his clients, Warren Hudson, 19; Jax Pitalo, 20; and Morgan Seymour, 19, left the area. — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026 In his opening statement, Sanft disputed that claim, arguing that Davis’ statements taking responsibility were fabricated for entertainment and, ultimately, financial gain. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026 Fight Agency spokesman Michael Mikail disputed that, saying a person affiliated with Bass sought to set up a meeting with the firm last spring, but that no meeting ever took place. — Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Defense attorney Liam Stokes disputed that this plan was ever carried out and noted that there was not enough evidence to charge Day with more than conspiracy. — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 19 Aug. 2026 Teddy’s owner and operator Karan Ahuja disputed Buc-ee’s allegations but declined additional comment because the case is ongoing. — Jason St. Angelo, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026 Prosecutor Shanan Buckingham disputed that, trying to show that Lawlor had only heard that theory from a fellow trooper. — Matt Schooley, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 Vogel has previously disputed Panettiere's portrayal of their relationship. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disputed

Adjective

Cunningham's controversial remarks came in an ESPN interview last month, saying her position is a matter of common sense.

— S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Mayor Andre Dickens is opposing a controversial plan to move the famed Olympic cauldron from Atlanta’s Summerhill neighborhood.

— Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of controversial

Verb

Cordovez questioned whether the city had acted too broadly by closing every public pool in Hialeah after the Florida Department of Health singled out Bucky Dent Water Park and shut it down following an inspection that documented 34 violations.

— Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026
Chitty was newly assigned to oversee the case following the removal of the Collin County judge who presided over the high-profile murder trial after the defense questioned his impartiality.

— Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of questioned

Verb

King bickered with fans on social media.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
But Tilly and Gershon playfully bickered onstage as the former remembered things slightly differently, with Tilly saying the problem had more to do with a shot of her hand on Gershon's crotch that was deemed too realistic.

— Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 8 June 2026

Definition of bickered

Verb

Over 30 hours, Reagan and Gorbachev fiercely debated in an effort to bring peace and the end of the Cold War.

— Barry Levitt, Time, 14 Aug. 2026
Inside Kalshi, employees have debated the usefulness of mention markets, with Kalshi co-founder Luana Lopes Lara especially championing them, according to the former Kalshi staffer.

— Bobby Allyn, NPR, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of debated

Verb

Patriarchal norms are increasingly challenged by women empowered by progressive legislation that requires half of political parties’ candidates to be women and, at least on paper, guarantees women’s access to land ownership.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Going forward, tickets that are fewer than 20 days old will be eligible to be challenged online.

— Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of challenged

Verb

Yet Jeanie’s attorney, Adam Streisand of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton Law, argued in the letter sent to her siblings’ attorneys that two previous legal rulings render that strategy improper.

— Sam Amick, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
The bank argued that combination may prove difficult to sustain.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of argued

Verb

At one point, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer and Saints coach Kellen Moore discussed ending the practice early.

— Jon Machota, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Trump has privately discussed arranging an in-person meeting with Kim during his next trip to Asia, likely in November, the Journal said, when he is expected to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China.

— Anniek Bao,Lisa Kim, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of discussed

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“Disputed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disputed. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of disputed

adjective

verb

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