As nouns the difference between contest and dispute

 is thatcontest is (uncountable) controversy; debate while dispute is an argument or disagreement, a failure to agree. 
 

As verbs the difference between contest and dispute

 is thatcontest is to contend while dispute is to contend in argument; to argue against something maintained, upheld, or claimed, by another. 

As verbs the difference between dispute and argue

 is thatdispute is to contend in argument; to argue against something maintained, upheld, or claimed, by another while argue is (obsolete) to prove. 

  • An argument or disagreement, a failure to agree.

  • Verbal controversy; contest by opposing argument or expression of opposing views or claims; controversial discussion; altercation; debate.

  • Contest; struggle; quarrel.

    • As nouns the difference between dispute and row

     is thatdispute is an argument or disagreement, a failure to agree while row is a line of objects, often regularly spaced, such as seats in a theatre, vegetable plants in a garden etc or row can be (weightlifting) an exercise performed with a pulling motion of the arms towards the back or row can be a noisy argument. 
     

    As verbs the difference between dispute and row

     is thatdispute is to contend in argument; to argue against something maintained, upheld, or claimed, by another while row is (transitive|or|intransitive|nautical) to propel (a boat or other craft) over water using oars or row can be to argue noisily. 

    As verbs the difference between contest and contend

     is thatcontest is to contend while contend is to strive in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight. 

     

    As a noun contest

     is (uncountable) controversy; debate.