to dispute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to dispute" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to challenge or argue against a statement, claim, or idea. Example: "She decided to dispute the findings of the report, believing they were flawed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's hard to dispute.

Independent

That is hard to dispute.

The New Yorker

That would be hard to dispute.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Chalian seemed to dispute that interpretation.

The New York Times

Jones continues to dispute the finding.

The New Yorker

The impact is hard to dispute.

The New Yorker

That would be difficult to dispute.

The New Yorker

Such numbers are open to dispute.

The Economist

ACCURACY -- What's to dispute?

The New York Times

Knowledge they chose to dispute.

The Guardian

This is difficult to dispute.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, pair this phrase with a specific object like 'the findings', 'the claim' or 'the interpretation' to maintain clarity.

Common error

Do not use 'refute' if you only mean to challenge a point. To "to dispute" means to argue against something, while 'refute' means you have actually proven it wrong. If the outcome of the argument is still undecided, "to dispute" is the correct choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to dispute" is the infinitive form of a transitive verb. According to Ludwig AI, it frequently functions as the direct object of a sentence (e.g., 'chose "to dispute"') or as a predicative adjective describing a subject's state (e.g., 'hard "to dispute"'). It is fundamentally used to express the action of challenging an assertion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Fiction

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "to dispute" is a highly effective infinitive phrase for anyone seeking to express disagreement in a professional or intellectual capacity. Ludwig AI shows that it is exceptionally prevalent in high-tier journalism and academic discourse, often appearing in constructions like 'hard "to dispute"' or 'continues "to dispute"'. Unlike simple denial, "to dispute" suggests an active engagement with the facts and a willingness to provide a counter-argument. Use it when you want to maintain a level of formality while firmly challenging a claim or finding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to contest

Implies a more formal or legal challenge to a decision or claim

to challenge

Broadly suggests calling the validity of something into question

to take issue with

A more idiomatic and slightly softer way to express disagreement

to question

Suggests doubt rather than a direct attempt to prove something wrong

to call into question

Functions as a more formal way to cast doubt on a fact or finding

to rebut

Focuses on providing evidence to disprove an argument

to argue against

Explicitly mentions the act of arguing to oppose a point

to contradict

Focuses on the logical opposition between two statements

to gainsay

An archaic or very formal term meaning to deny or speak against

to refute

Stronger than dispute, it implies successfully proving something is false

FAQs

What is a good synonym for "to dispute" in a legal context?

In legal contexts, you can often use "to contest" to describe challenging a will, a charge, or a specific ruling.

Is it correct to say "to dispute with someone"?

While common in older English, modern usage usually treats the verb as transitive. Instead of saying "dispute with him", it is more common to say "to argue with" or simply state the subject of the disagreement, such as "to dispute the decision".

How do I professionally say I disagree with a claim?

A professional way to express this is "to take issue with" or "to question the validity of" the specific claim.

Can "to dispute" be used for simple arguments?

Yes, though it often implies a more sustained or serious disagreement than "to quarrel" or "to bicker".