disputing

verb

present participle of dispute
1
as in questioning
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bickering
to express different opinions about something often angrily hometown fans disputing with visiting fans over which had the better team

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in discussing
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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 disputing In a settlement agreement reached last year, Conservice agreed to provide any California tenant disputing their bill with copies of invoices and formulas used to determine their specific charges. — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Hayden Panettiere's estranged mother, Lesley Vogel, is disputing the account of her daughter's final hours given by Panettiere's on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson. — Paris Close, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council is suing the NCAA on different grounds, disputing the organization’s stance that his junior-college years should count toward his NCAA eligibility. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026 Muller / Platfrm There is no disputing that skateboarding culture and punk culture are inextricably linked, going back more than four decades. — Michelle Bruton, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Clancy’s attorney Kevin Reddington isn’t disputing that Clancy did the killings. — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 When disputing a fine from a company, Lisa Schiller of the Better Business Bureau recommends keeping detailed records of the incident, including the date, time and exact address where the situation took place. — Isabella Russomanno, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2026 That documentation can help when disputing fraudulent accounts and charges. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Investigations are ongoing into how cyanide found its way to an ecosystem where wild and domestic animals coexist and farms grow tomatoes and onions, but growers are disputing claims that cyanide from their tomatoes killed the elephants. — ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disputing
  1. questioning
  2. bickering
  3. discussing
  4. contesting
  5. arguing
  6. debating
  7. challenging
  8. fighting
Verb
  • His government has consistently avoided criticizing Morocco, but Sánchez condemned comments from two Moroccan ministers questioning the sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla, another Spain's other territory in North Africa.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • But the design quickly sparked backlash and support online, with some applauding the farm's call for civil discourse and others questioning why Kirk was chosen as the face of one of the attraction's biggest annual draws.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of questioning
Verb
  • There’s striker Josie Gordon, bickering twin sisters Siobhan and Niamh, glove-shunning goalie Katie ‘Boots’ Quinn and couple Maddie and Margy.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Back at the base, the team is still bickering with the other troopers.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of bickering
Verb
  • This means a vaccine or treatment isn't routinely recommended for everyone, but may be appropriate for some people after discussing the benefits and risks with a healthcare provider.
    — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The show features Lovett and a panel of guests from the worlds of politics, comedy, journalism and business discussing and poking fun at the news of the week.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of discussing
Verb
  • Reflecting this sentiment, the number of independents contesting House and Senate races shot up to 217 this year (about 80 more than in 2024).
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Abrams said the broad outlines of a war with Iran, including it contesting the Strait of Hormuz, were well understood in national security circles before the fighting began.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of contesting
Verb
  • The group has—so far unsuccessfully—called on both the NCAA and Big 12 to end the affiliation, arguing against universities participating in a youth-facing marketing campaign for energy drinks.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Approaching a parent with love and concern instead of arguing for their treatment can help alleviate a lot of stress.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of arguing
Verb
  • No one in the courtroom is debating Patrick Clancy’s guilt or innocence.
    — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Iran’s parliament is debating a bill to withdraw from the NPT, according to Iranian lawmakers.
    — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of debating
Verb
  • Walking in the Footsteps of the Haiku Master Walk Japan offers a range of walks and has been leading small groups since 1992, on trips that are deeply cultural and, to varying degrees, challenging.
    — Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Trump is also challenging his conviction through the state court appellate process, which is pending.
    — Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of challenging
Verb
  • As a result, the Fed’s attention is now fixed on fighting inflation, instead of the other part of its dual mandate, namely supporting the labor market.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • For France, long accustomed to wildfires along arid stretches of the Atlantic and Mediterranean, the devastation in Le Porge has yielded rare consensus that its fire safety system is not up to fighting mega-fires brought on by climate change.
    — Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of fighting

Browse Nearby Words

disputes
disputing
disqualification
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Cite this Entry

“Disputing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disputing. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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