dispute

I

(New American Roget's College Thesaurus)

v. contradict, controvert, doubt, contest, question; argue, debate, quarrel, bicker, wrangle. —n. disputation, debate, argument, disagreement. See discord, negation, reasoning.

II

(Roget's IV) n.

Syn. argument, quarrel, debate, row, misunderstanding, verbal contention, disputation, disagreement, controversy, fight, conflict, strife, discussion, polemic, bickering, squabble, wrangle, disturbance, feud, uproar, commotion, tiff, fracas, brouhaha, altercation, dissension, variance, squall, difference of opinion, falling-out, lovers' quarrel, broil, words, war of words, set-to*, spat*, rumpus*, flare-up*, fuss*, fireworks*, slanging match*, hassle*; see also disagreement 1 .

• beyond dispute,

Syn. settled, sure, not open to question; see certain 3 .

• in dispute,

Syn. argued, unsettled, undetermined; see controversial , uncertain 2 .

Syn.- dispute refers to a clash of opposing opinions, often involving a matter of a legal or official nature, and implies vehemence or anger in debate [ a dispute over property boundaries ] ; argument refers to a discussion in which there is disagreement and suggests the use of logic and the bringing forth of facts to support or refute a point; controversy connotes a disagreement of lengthy duration over a matter of some weight or importance v.

Syn. argue, debate, contradict, quarrel; see argue 1 , discuss , oppose 1 .

See Synonym Study at discuss .

III

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus)

I

n.

argument, debate, controversy, disagreement, conflict, altercation, difference of opinion, contest, *beef, wrangle, dissension, *fuss, *bone of contention, row, imbroglio.

ANT.: agreement

II

v.

argue, debate, disagree, conflict, contest, contend, controvert, *lock horns, wrangle, quarrel, doubt, controvert, bicker, quibble.

ANT.: agree, concur, *find common ground

IV

(Roget's Thesaurus II) I verb 1. To put forth reasons for or against something, often excitedly: argue, contend, debate, moot. See AFFIRM, WORDS. 2. To engage in a quarrel: argue, bicker, contend, fight, quarrel, quibble, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle. Informal: hassle, tangle. Idioms: cross swords, have it out, have words, lock horns. See CONFLICT. 3. To take a stand against: buck, challenge, contest, oppose, resist, traverse. See SUPPORT. II noun A discussion, often heated, in which a difference of opinion is expressed: altercation, argument, bicker, clash, contention, controversy, debate, difficulty, disagreement, fight, polemic, quarrel, run-in, spat, squabble, tiff, word (used in plural), wrangle. Informal: hassle, rhubarb, tangle. See CONFLICT.