disputed
disputed — adjective
1. still being challenged or argued about, so people have not accepted one clear an
still being challenged or argued about, so people have not accepted one clear answer or owner yet.
The judge reviewed the disputed land sale before signing the final order.
attributive: disputed + noun in legal context
Teachers removed a disputed question from the science exam after several complaints.
collocation: disputed question / claim / result
The map still marks a disputed border between the two mountain regions.
Reporters asked about the disputed election result during the mayor's first interview.
Museum staff locked the disputed painting away until the family proved who owned it.
- contested
very close in law, sport, and elections; often suggests a formal challenge
- controversial
focuses on strong public disagreement, not always on proof or ownership
- questioned
milder; suggests doubt without as much open conflict
- settled
no longer being argued about
- agreed
accepted by the people involved
- undisputed
not challenged by anyone
文法句型
disputed + noun
be disputed
用法筆記
Mostly appears before nouns such as border, result, claim, ownership, or question. Use it for something people are still arguing over or legally challenging, not for the people doing the arguing.
常見錯誤
disputed — verb
1. past tense and past participle of 'dispute' meaning argued about something for a
past tense and past participle of 'dispute' meaning argued about something for a time because the people involved could not agree.
Union leaders disputed with management over weekend pay until midnight.
disputed with + person over + issue
For months, villagers disputed over where the new bridge should stand.
intransitive: disputed over + clause
At dinner, two brothers disputed the bill for half an hour.
During rehearsal, Beatriz disputed every cue with the stage manager.
Lawyers from both sides disputed the contract wording in court.
- argued
the broad everyday verb; less formal than 'disputed'
- quarrelled
suggests a more personal or emotional disagreement
- debated
often calmer or more formal than an ordinary argument
文法句型
disputed with somebody over/about something
disputed over something
disputed + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often names both sides of the disagreement with 'with' and the topic with 'over' or 'about'. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense highlights the back-and-forth argument itself, not simply rejecting a claim as wrong.
常見錯誤
2. past tense and past participle of 'dispute' meaning said that a statement, charg
past tense and past participle of 'dispute' meaning said that a statement, charge, result, or decision was not true, fair, or valid.
The company disputed the tax bill and filed new documents next morning.
disputed + official charge or decision
Noor disputed the witness's account because the times did not match.
disputed + account with reason clause
Several parents disputed the school's claim that no warning email had been sent.
Defense lawyers disputed the video evidence during the afternoon hearing.
Mira disputed the online review, saying she had never visited the restaurant.
- challenged
the closest everyday choice for saying something may be wrong
- contested
common in law, elections, and official decisions
- questioned
milder; suggests doubt rather than outright rejection
文法句型
disputed + noun phrase
disputed + noun phrase + because-clause
disputed + noun phrase + by saying...
用法筆記
Object is usually something that can be tested or judged, such as a claim, charge, account, decision, or piece of evidence. Distinguish from sense 1: you can dispute a statement even without a long argument back and forth.