Dispute
/dɪˈspjuːt/
nounverbB2
Definition
A dispute is when two or more people or groups do not agree and often argue about a topic, fact, or situation. It can be about money, opinions, rights, or facts. When you dispute something, you say it is not correct or you argue against it.
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⚡ See It in Action
Noun: A serious argument or disagreement
- •There was a dispute between the neighbors about the property line.
- •The workers had a dispute with management over their salaries.
- •The dispute lasted for months before they reached an agreement.
Verb: To say that something is not true or to argue against it
- •She disputed the claim that she was late to work.
- •The company disputed the report about environmental damage.
- •He disputed the referee’s decision during the game.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "dispute" like "argue" (A2 word), but more formal and often about important or serious topics
- ✓Picture two people talking loudly, shaking their heads, and showing they do not agree
- ✓It's the feeling when you and a friend both want the same thing and cannot decide who is right
- ✓Sounds like "this-PUTE" → imagine two people putting their ideas against each other like a contest
- ✓Think of famous court cases or sports teams arguing about who won—that is a dispute
- ✓NOT like "disagree" (simple difference in opinion), "dispute" often involves stronger argument or conflict
- ✓NOT like "fight" (physical action), "dispute" is about words or legal arguments, not hitting
- ✓NOT like "debate" (formal discussion), "dispute" can be more emotional and less polite
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Conflict: a serious disagreement or fight (Use when the disagreement is strong and may involve feelings or physical action)
- •Debate: a formal discussion about different opinions (Use when the disagreement is organized and polite)
- •Argument: a strong disagreement, usually with angry words (Use in everyday situations, less formal than dispute)
- •Challenge: to question or say something may be wrong (Use when you want to say you do not accept something as true)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "dis-" (not, opposite) + root "pute" (from Latin "putare," meaning to think or consider)
- •Etymology: From Latin disputare, meaning to discuss or argue
- •Historical development: Originally meant to think or consider carefully, later changed to mean argue or disagree
- •Modern usage: Used to describe formal or serious arguments or disagreements, especially in law, business, or politics
- •Key insight: The word shows a strong opposite to agreement; it means people do not share the same opinion and argue about it
💭 Reflect & Connect
•When is a dispute helpful, and when can it cause problems in relationships or work?
•How can people solve a dispute without making the situation worse?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The dispute between the two companies started because they ___ the contract terms.
2.When someone disputes a fact, they usually ___ its truth or correctness.
3.Unlike a small disagreement, a dispute often involves ___ feelings or serious issues.
4.The workers had a dispute ___ their wages, so they went on strike.
5.In court, lawyers try to resolve disputes by presenting ___ evidence.
6.She disputed the rumor about her, showing she did not ___ it.
7.A dispute can happen when two sides cannot find a ___ that works for both.