disputes

IPA/dɪˈspjuːt/
KK[dɪspjˈuts]IPA/dɪˈspjuːt/

disputes — noun

  • disputessingular
  • disputesesplural

1. a serious situation in which two or more people, groups, or countries disagree,

1.nounB1
Definition

a serious situation in which two or more people, groups, or countries disagree, especially over who owns something, who is right, or what should be done

Example

The two families had a long dispute over the land behind their houses.

over + topic of disagreement

The union and the management are trying to settle the pay dispute through talks.

collocation: settle a dispute / pay dispute

Common collocations
  • settle a dispute
  • resolve a dispute
  • legal dispute
  • pay dispute
  • border dispute
  • dispute over something
  • dispute about something
  • dispute between two sides
Synonyms
  • argument

    more general and can be casual; less formal than dispute

  • conflict

    stronger, may involve fighting or ongoing tension

  • disagreement

    less serious and less formal; can be small or large

  • controversy

    a public disagreement that involves many people over a long time

Antonyms
  • agreement

    a situation where people share the same opinion

Usage Note

Often used in the context of law, business, or politics. Common verbs used with this sense include 'settle', 'resolve', 'have', 'be involved in'.

Common Mistakes

They had a dispute about where to eat dinner.
They had an argument about where to eat dinner.
'dispute' is for more serious or official disagreements, not casual ones.

2. used to describe a fact or idea that is so clearly true that no reasonable perso

2.nounB2
Definition

used to describe a fact or idea that is so clearly true that no reasonable person could argue against it

Example

It is beyond dispute that regular exercise improves both physical and mental health.

pattern: it is beyond dispute that…

Her talent as a violinist is beyond dispute after winning three international awards.

Common collocations
  • beyond dispute
  • it is beyond dispute that
Synonyms
  • undeniable

    similar meaning but can be used as an adjective before nouns

  • indisputable

    stronger; impossible to question

  • certain

    broader; not limited to formal contexts

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be + beyond dispute

it is beyond dispute that…

Usage Note

Only used in the fixed phrase 'beyond dispute'. This sense never appears without the preposition 'beyond'. Usually describes facts, evidence, or achievements that are widely accepted.

3. not yet proved true or correct; able to be doubted or argued about because the e

3.nounB2
Definition

not yet proved true or correct; able to be doubted or argued about because the evidence is not strong enough

Example

Whether Mayor Torres's plan to hire fifty new officers will lower crime in Austin is open to dispute.

pattern: whether…is open to dispute

Whether Mr. Daniel Obi correctly identified the suspect in the dimly lit parking lot is open to dispute.

Common collocations
  • open to dispute
  • be open to dispute
  • remain open to dispute
  • whether … is open to dispute
Synonyms
  • debatable

    more common in everyday use; less formal

  • questionable

    stronger negative feeling; suggests doubt about truth

  • uncertain

    broader; not limited to formal contexts

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

open to dispute

whether … is open to dispute

Usage Note

Only used in the fixed phrase 'open to dispute'. Commonly appears with 'whether' clauses or nouns like 'claim', 'accuracy', 'finding'.

Common Mistakes

The results of the test are open to dispute.' (when meaning the test hasn't been done yet)
The results of the test are open to dispute.' (when meaning people disagree about the results)
use this phrase when evidence exists but is debated, not when nothing has been decided yet.

4. in a situation where two or more people or groups disagree and the correct answe

4.nounB2
Definition

in a situation where two or more people or groups disagree and the correct answer, owner, or decision has not yet been agreed on

Example

The ownership of the painting is still in dispute after the collector's death.

collocation: in dispute

The exact number of people who attended the event is in dispute.

Common collocations
  • in dispute
  • still in dispute
  • remain in dispute
  • be in dispute over
  • be in dispute between
Synonyms
  • disputed

    adjective form; more flexible in sentence position

  • contested

    often used for competitions, elections, or legal cases

  • unsettled

    suggests no final decision has been reached

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

in dispute

be in dispute

remain in dispute

Usage Note

Only used in the fixed phrase 'in dispute'. The subject is usually a fact, number, claim, or piece of property that different sides disagree about.

disputes — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A 'dispute' is a serious, often official disagreement between groups or individuals, frequently involving legal, business, or territorial matters. An 'argument' can be any heated exchange of opposing views, from casual to formal — it is the broadest and most common term. A 'disagreement' is milder and more neutral, covering any difference of opinion without implying hostility. 'Conflict' suggests deeper, more prolonged opposition that may involve fighting or emotional struggle, not just words. 'Controversy' refers to a public disagreement that sparks widespread debate and often lasts for a long time, such as a political or scientific controversy. For example, a couple might have a minor disagreement about weekend plans, but a border dispute between countries could lead to serious conflict.

dispute ↗argument ↗disagreement ↗conflict ↗controversy ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • dispute resolution
  • dispute settlement
  • dispute arises
  • subject of dispute
  • matter in dispute

Adverbs

  • hotly disputed
  • widely disputed
  • bitterly disputed
  • publicly disputed

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'dispute' came into English through Old French 'desputer' (to argue), from Latin 'disputare' (to discuss, examine, reckon), which is formed from 'dis-' (apart, in different directions) and 'putare' (to think, reckon, prune). The Latin root 'putare' originally meant 'to prune or clean' and later developed the sense of 'to think clearly' — so 'disputare' literally meant 'to think in different directions,' i.e., to consider opposing viewpoints.

First known use

13th century

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense Noun