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Disputable Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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disputable

[dɪˈspjuːtəbl ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

controversial

Open to dispute; questionable or debatable. Not definitely settled or decided.

Synonyms

controversial, debatable, questionable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
disputable

Use when referring to something that can be argued or challenged because it's not universally accepted.

  • The effectiveness of the new policy is disputable
  • His theory is highly disputable
controversial

Use when referring to something that provokes strong and often differing opinions, typically causing public debate.

  • The politician's remarks were very controversial
  • The film tackles controversial issues
debatable

Use when referring to something that is open to discussion or question because there's no definitive answer.

  • Whether this plan will succeed is debatable
  • It's debatable whether more funding is needed
questionable

Use when referring to something that is uncertain or gives rise to doubt, often implying a lack of credibility or integrity.

  • The authenticity of the painting is questionable
  • His motives are highly questionable

Examples of usage

  • It is a disputable claim whether climate change is primarily caused by human activity.
  • Her leadership style is disputable among the team members.
  • The decision to increase taxes is highly disputable among the public.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Philosophy

  • Disputability is central to philosophical debate, where ideas are often challenged to seek truth.
  • Some philosophical concepts like morality can be seen as highly disputable due to differing viewpoints.
  • In epistemology, the study of knowledge, disputability helps in examining how we come to know things.

Law

  • In legal contexts, many disputes arise from contracts that are considered disputable, meaning they can be contested in court.
  • Legal definitions of rights or laws often have elements that are disputable, leading to litigation and appeals.
  • The principle of 'disputability' in law emphasizes the importance of evidence and argument in resolving conflicts.

Social Context

  • Disputable issues like climate change often lead to public debates, showcasing the clash of scientific facts and personal beliefs.
  • Cultural practices can be disputable as they may vary widely between communities and perspectives.
  • Politics is filled with disputable topics, where opinions can be sharply divided and heavily debated.

Science

  • In scientific research, findings are often considered disputable until thoroughly tested and peer-reviewed.
  • Theories like evolution or climate change faced significant disputability when first introduced, sparking widespread debates.
  • Disputable data in science can lead to further investigations that refine our understanding of complex subjects.

Origin of 'disputable'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originates from the Latin term 'disputabilis', meaning 'able to be discussed or argued'.
  • It formed in the 16th century, evolving from 'dispute' which describes the act of questioning and arguing.
  • In Middle English, similar words were used, indicating a culture of debate and discussion among scholars.

The word 'disputable' originated from the Latin word 'disputabilis', which means 'liable to be disputed'. The term has been in use since the 15th century, evolving over time to its current form in the English language. Throughout history, 'disputable' has been used to describe situations, claims, or issues that are open to questioning, debate, or disagreement.

See also: disputably, disputant, disputatious, disputatiously, disputatiousness, dispute, disputed, disputes, disputing, indisputable, indisputably, undisputed.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,194, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.