Disputable — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb adjective /di-ˈspyüt/ dis·pute

Meaning & Definition of Disputable

Disputable (verb)

  1. to engage in argument, debate; especially, to argue irritably or with irritating persistence
  2. to make the subject of verbal controversy or disputation
  3. to call into question or cast doubt upon

Disputable (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged

    "a speech full of disputable generalizations about people"

    similar: debatable, dodgy (chiefly British), doubtable, doubtful, dubious, dubitable, equivocal, fishy, problematic, queer, questionable, shady, shaky, suspect, suspicious
    related: alleged, so-called, supposed, moot, ambiguous, open, unclear, uncertain, undecided, undetermined, far-fetched, flimsy, improbable, unlikely, weak
    opposite: certain, hands-down, incontestable, indisputable, indubitable, questionless, sure, undeniable, undoubted, unproblematic, unquestionable
    near: decisive, definitive, clear, obvious, open-and-shut, positive

  2. open to question or dispute

    "all disputable claims must be referred to the committee"

    similar: arguable, controvertible, debatable, doubtable, doubtful, issuable, moot, negotiable, questionable
    related: contradictable, refutable, controversial, debated, disputed, dubious, iffy, inconclusive, indecisive, problematic, shaky, uncertain, academic, hypothetical, speculative, theoretical, ambiguous, equivocal
    opposite: accomplished, certain, hands-down, inarguable, incontestable, incontrovertible, indisputable, indubitable, irrefragable, positive, questionless, settled, sure, unanswerable, unarguable, unchallengeable, undebatable, undeniable, unquestionable
    near: irrefutable, definite, unambiguous, unequivocal, absolute, clear, conclusive, decisive, uncontested, undisputed

Related Entry: Dispute (verb)

Dispute is a different word from Disputable. The synonyms below are for dispute, not for disputable.

  1. to demand proof of the truth or rightness of

    "a whole slew of relatives eager to dispute his claim to being the sole heir"

    similar: challenge, contest, impeach, oppugn, query, question, call in question
    related: doubt, mistrust, kick (about), object (to), protest, combat, fight, oppose, resist
    opposite: accept, believe, embrace, swallow
    near: back, defend, support, advocate, champion, promote, abide, endure, stomach, tolerate

  2. to express different opinions about something often angrily

    "hometown fans disputing with visiting fans over which had the better team"

    similar: altercate, argue, argufy, bicker, brabble, brawl, controvert, fall out, fight, hassle, jar, quarrel, quibble, row, scrap, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle, bandy words, butt heads, lock horns, mix it up
    related: challenge, dare, defy, clash, contend, contest, tangle, cavil, fuss, nitpick, consider, debate, discuss, kick, object, protest
    near: coexist, get along, accept, agree, assent, concur, consent

  3. 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"

    similar: agitate, argue, bandy, bat (around or back and forth), canvass, debate, discuss, hash (over or out), moot, talk over
    related: review, speak (about), talk (about), broach, introduce, propound, raise, stir up, forge, hammer out, talk out, thrash (out), wrestle (with), chew over, consider, deliberate, weigh

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Disputable

The most common words with a similar meaning to Disputable:

Chiefly British: dodgy
debatable, doubtable, doubtful, dubious, dubitable, equivocal, fishy, problematic, queer, questionable, shady, shaky, suspect, suspicious, arguable, controvertible, issuable, moot, negotiable

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Disputable

Words with the opposite meaning of Disputable:

certain, hands-down, incontestable, indisputable, indubitable, questionless, sure, undeniable, undoubted, unproblematic, unquestionable, accomplished, inarguable, incontrovertible, irrefragable, positive, settled, unanswerable, unarguable, unchallengeable, undebatable

Related Words for Disputable

alleged, so-called, supposed, ambiguous, open, unclear, uncertain, undecided, undetermined, far-fetched, flimsy, improbable, unlikely, weak, contradictable, refutable, controversial, debated, disputed, iffy, inconclusive, indecisive, academic, hypothetical, speculative, theoretical

Near Antonyms of Disputable

decisive, definitive, clear, obvious, open-and-shut, irrefutable, definite, unambiguous, unequivocal, absolute, conclusive, uncontested, undisputed

Word Forms of Disputable

Inflections: disputed, disputing

Derived words: disputable (adjective), disputably (adverb), disputer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Disputable

Middle English, from Anglo-French desputer, from Latin disputare to discuss, from dis- + putare to think

First known use: 13th centuryi

Frequently Asked Questions about Disputable

What does "Disputable" mean?

"Disputable" means to engage in argument, debate; especially, to argue irritably or with irritating persistence. As an a verb and an adjective, it is defined as: to engage in argument, debate; especially, to argue irritably or with irritating persistence. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Disputable"?

Other words for "Disputable" include debatable, dodgy, doubtable, doubtful, dubious, dubitable, equivocal and fishy. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Disputable" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Disputable"?

There are 46 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Disputable". Common alternatives include debatable, dodgy, doubtable, doubtful, dubious, dubitable, equivocal, fishy, problematic and queer.

What is the opposite of "Disputable"?

Antonyms of "Disputable" include certain, hands-down, incontestable, indisputable, indubitable, questionless, sure and undeniable. Near antonyms include decisive, definitive, clear and obvious.

How do you use "Disputable" in a sentence?

Examples of "Disputable" in a sentence: "a speech full of disputable generalizations about people"; "all disputable claims must be referred to the committee".

Is "Disputable" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Disputable" can be used as a verb and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Disputable"?

"Disputable" is pronounced /di-ˈspyüt/ and divided into syllables as dis·pute.

What is the origin of the word "Disputable"?

"Disputable" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French desputer, from Latin disputare to discuss, from dis- + putare to think. First known use: 13th centuryi.