dis ‧ a ‧ gree ‧ ment /ˌdɪsəˈɡriːmənt/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: adjective : ↑ agreeable ≠ ↑ disagreeable , ↑ agreed ; verb : ↑ agree ≠ ↑ disagree ; noun : ↑ agreement ≠ ↑ disagreement ; adverb : ↑ agreeably ≠ ↑ disagreeably ]
1 . [uncountable and countable] a situation in which people express different opinions about something and sometimes argue OPP agreement :
We’ve had a few disagreements, but we’re still good friends.
disagreement about/over/as to/on
disagreements about who will be allowed to vote
disagreement among/between
There were disagreements among doctors about the best way to treat the disease.
disagreement with
Connor’s disagreements with school administrators
sharp/fundamental/profound etc disagreement (=serious disagreement)
be in disagreement (=disagree)
Scientists are in disagreement about the significance of the data.
2 . [uncountable] differences between two statements, reports, numbers etc that ought to be similar OPP agreement
disagreement between
There is disagreement between these two estimates.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ have a disagreement
The only disagreements we have are about money.
▪ resolve/settle a disagreement (=find a way to make people agree)
Negotiations failed to resolve the disagreements.
▪ cause/lead to disagreement
This is a policy that has caused an enormous amount of disagreement.
▪ disagreement arises
Disagreements may arise because of misunderstandings.
■ adjectives
▪ a strong/serious disagreement
If you have a serious disagreement at work, talk to someone about it.
▪ considerable/substantial disagreement (=a lot of disagreement)
There is still considerable disagreement among doctors as to how to treat the illness.
▪ a bitter disagreement
There are reports of bitter disagreement between the EU and the US over this issue.
▪ a sharp disagreement formal (=strong disagreement)
There were sharp disagreements between Republicans and Democrats.
▪ basic disagreement ( also fundamental disagreement formal )
There was fundamental disagreement on what steps should be taken to resolve the problem.
■ phrases
▪ a source of disagreement (=something that causes disagreement)
Sentencing policy is a source of disagreement between judges and the Home Office.
▪ an area of disagreement (=an idea or subject that people disagree about)
Substantial areas of disagreement still exist between scientists.
▪ a point of disagreement (=a particular thing that people disagree about)
A point of disagreement between the two parties concerns the future of nuclear power.
▪ room/scope for disagreement (=the possibility that people will disagree about something)
There is room for disagreement about how much independence to give children.
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THESAURUS
▪ argument a situation in which people speak angrily to each other because they disagree about something:
an argument between two drivers over who had right of way
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A 29-year-old man was shot and killed today after an argument over a gambling debt.
▪ row British English , fight especially American English a loud angry argument with someone, especially your boyfriend, girlfriend, or someone in your family. Row is also used about a serious disagreement between politicians about important public issues:
There were always fights between my parents.
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the continuing row over tax increases
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A few months ago they had a big row, and Steve drove off and spent the weekend in London.
▪ disagreement a situation in which people disagree with each other, but without shouting or getting angry:
There were the occasional disagreements about money, but mostly we got on well.
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Ginny had left the company after a disagreement with her boss.
▪ quarrel especially British English an argument, especially one in which people get angry and that lasts a long time. Quarrel sounds more formal and more serious than argument or row :
a bitter family quarrel
▪ feud /fjuːd/ a very bitter argument between two groups, especially families, which lasts for many years and causes people to hate each other:
The feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys raged for 20 years.
▪ dispute a public or legal argument about something, especially one which continues for a long time:
Morris has been involved in a long legal dispute with his publisher.
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The settlement will resolve a long-running dispute over the country’s nuclear program.
▪ war/battle of words an argument in which two people or groups criticize each other continuously in public:
The war of words over construction delays at the airport has erupted again.
▪ bust-up British English informal a very bad argument, especially one in which people decide to separate from each other:
He had a bust-up with the team manager.
▪ shouting match an angry argument in which people shout at each other:
He got into a shouting match with another driver.
▪ slanging match British English informal an argument in which people insult each other:
He was sacked after a slanging match with a colleague.