disputed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "disputed" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used when someone questions the validity of something. For example, "The ownership of the property is disputed between the two parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Amid criticisms that £10m to £20m was relatively small figure on which to make such a major policy announcement – the NHS budget is more than £100bn a year – the health secretary disputed the No 10 claim.

The Guardian

Tony Abbott has sought to play down the backlash over Australia's decision to refer to East Jerusalem as "disputed" rather than "occupied" territory, saying the government had made only a "terminological clarification".

The Guardian

Johnson, in an addendum to the report, partially concurred with many of the inspector general's findings, though he disputed several.

The Guardian

This claim is disputed by other MPs, though, who suggest that the Dutch economic situation is basically healthy, so the 'exceptional circumstance' argument does not apply.

The Guardian - Business

Such sentiment is hotly disputed by Duncan Carmichael, Ayr's club historian.

The Guardian - Sport

In Manchester, some argued that the riots had been caused by anger at perceived injustices such as proposed cuts to the public sector, growing youth unemployment or bad relations with police – the latter point being disputed by Ch Supt Russ Jackson, who said the picture was more complex.

The Guardian

Ukip said said the decision marked "a sad day for diversity and freedom" and disputed organisers' version of events, saying the party had not had its application turned down but instead organisers had withdrawn their original invitation.

The Guardian

Kasparov, who held the world chess championship title for 15 years and is commonly regarded as the greatest player the world has yet seen, disputed claims that Putin is popular in Russia, saying propaganda and restrictions on free speech had driven criticism underground.

The Guardian - Books

The two contenders for the hotly disputed title of France's second city will be drawn closer together and be more accessible from May, when Eurostar's new, year-round direct service will link London with Marseille via Lyon and Avignon.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Realising that allowing elected officials to determine the outcome of a disputed election was a bad idea, the Electoral Act makes clear that the high court will sit as the "court of disputed returns" to hear disputes relating to elections.

The Guardian

Until the Electoral Act became law, the house of parliament where the electoral dispute arose was responsible for determining the outcome of a disputed election.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disputed" to describe a fact or claim, provide context about who is disputing it to give your writing more clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is "disputed" without specifying who disputes it and why. This can weaken your argument and leave the reader wondering about the nature of the disagreement.

Linguistic Context

The word "disputed" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are subject to disagreement or debate. Ludwig's examples show it describing claims, territories, elections, and even someone's stature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "disputed" is a versatile adjective used to indicate disagreement or uncertainty about something. It is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its typical use when someone questions the validity of something. Related terms include "contested", "challenged", and "questioned". When using "disputed", it is best practice to provide context about who is disputing the claim to enhance clarity and credibility. Overusing "disputed" without specifics should be avoided to prevent weakening arguments. Overall, "disputed" is a valuable term for expressing skepticism or disagreement in various forms of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contested

Similar meaning, indicating a claim or statement that is challenged or argued against.

challenged

Focuses on the act of questioning or disagreeing with something.

questioned

Suggests doubt or skepticism about the validity of something.

debated

Implies a formal discussion or argument about a particular issue.

arguable

Indicates that something is open to debate or disagreement.

uncertain

Highlights the lack of clarity or certainty surrounding a topic.

in question

Refers to something whose validity or truth is being examined.

under scrutiny

Emphasizes a thorough and critical examination of something.

at issue

Indicates the specific point or matter that is being debated or discussed.

controversial

Suggests that something is likely to cause disagreement or public debate.

FAQs

How is "disputed" used in a sentence?

The word "disputed" can be used to describe a claim, fact, or territory that is being questioned or argued about. For example, "The accuracy of the data is "disputed" by several experts."

What's a synonym for "disputed"?

Synonyms for "disputed" include "contested", "challenged", and "questioned". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When should I use "disputed" instead of "controversial"?

"Disputed" suggests that something is being actively questioned or argued about, often with factual evidence or counterclaims. "Controversial" implies that something is likely to cause strong disagreement or public debate, often based on differing opinions or values.

Is it always necessary to identify who is disputing something?

While not always strictly necessary, identifying who is disputing a claim adds credibility and context to your writing. It helps the reader understand the source and nature of the disagreement and evaluate the validity of the "disputed" information.