(v. t.) To make matter of controversy; to dispute or oppose by reasoning; to contend against in words or writings; to contest; to debate.

abjure air analyze answer answer conclusively argue down assert the contrary be at cross-purposes be contrary to be opposed to belie break call into question canvass challenge clash comment upon conflict conflict with confound confute consider contest contradict contrapose contrast with contravene counter counteract counterbalance countercheck counterpoise counterpose countervail counterwork cross crush deal with debate defeat deliberate deliberate upon demolish deny disaffirm disallow disavow disclaim disconfirm discourse about discuss dismiss disown dispose of disprove dispute evert examine exchange views finish floor forswear gainsay go into handle impugn investigate join issue upon juxtapose in opposition knock around negate nonplus not accept not admit nullify offset oppose oppugn overthrow overturn overwhelm parry pass under review play at cross-purposes put to silence question rap reason reason about reason the point rebut recant reduce to silence refuse to admit refute reject renounce repudiate retract review revoke run counter to set off settle shut up sift silence smash all opposition squash squelch study subvert take back take issue with take up talk talk about talk of talk over thresh out traverse treat undermine upset ventilate