1. (v. i.) To contend in argument; to argue against something maintained, upheld, or claimed, by another; to discuss; to reason; to debate; to altercate; to wrangle.

2. (v. t.) To make a subject of disputation; to argue pro and con; to discuss.

3. (v. t.) To oppose by argument or assertion; to attempt to overthrow; to controvert; to express dissent or opposition to; to call in question; to deny the truth or validity of; as, to dispute assertions or arguments.

4. (v. t.) To strive or contend about; to contest.

5. (v. t.) To struggle against; to resist.

6. (v. i.) Verbal controversy; contest by opposing argument or expression of opposing views or claims; controversial discussion; altercation; debate.

7. (v. i.) Contest; struggle; quarrel.

Kilkenny cats Socratic method abjure agitate altercate altercation apologetics apologia apology argue argufy argument argumentation asking assert the contrary awake a doubt bandy words be diffident be doubtful be dubious be skeptical be uncertain beef belie bicker bicker over bickering bitch blood feud boggle boycott brawl bringing into question broil buck call in question canvass casuistry cat-and-dog life catechizing cavil challenge choplogic combat combative reaction complain complain loudly complaint conflict confront confute contend contend about contend with contention contentiousness contest contestation contradict contravene controversy controvert counter counteraction cross cross swords cry out against cut and thrust debate defense defiance demonstrate demonstrate against demur deny differ difference of opinion disaffirm disagree with disagreement disallow disavow discept disclaim discord discuss discussion disown disprove disputation dissension dissent dissent from dissentience distrust disturbance donnybrook donnybrook fair doubt duel embroilment enmity enter a protest examination expostulate face down face out face up to falling-out feud fight fight against fight over fighting flite fliting flyting forswear fracas fractiousness front fuss gainsay give and take greet with skepticism half believe harbor suspicions hassle have it out have reservations have words holler hostility howl hubbub hurrah imbroglio impugn inquiring interpellation interrogation join issue join issue upon kick kick against litigation lock horns logomachize logomachy make a stand march meet head-on miff misgive mistrust moot negativism noncooperation not accept not admit nullify object object to objection obstinacy offer resistance open quarrel oppose opposition paper war passage of arms passive resistance pettifog picket plead polemic polemicize polemics polemize press objections probing protest pumping quarrel quarrel over quarreling quarrelsomeness query querying question questioning quibble quiz quizzing raise a howl raise a question rally reaction rebuff rebut recalcitrance recalcitrancy recalcitrate recalcitration recant refractoriness refuse to admit refute reluct reluctance remonstrance remonstrate renitence renitency renounce repel repellence repellency repudiate repulse repulsion resistance retract revoke revolt rhubarb row rumpus scrapping scruple seeking set to set-to sharp words show fight sit in slanging match smell a rat snarl spar spat squabble squabble over squabbling squawk stand stand at bay stand up against stand up to state a grievance strife strike strive against struggle