Dictionary transitive verb example sentences

[Skrej]

Long story short, during a weekly vocabulary lesson we went over the word 'dispute', with both the noun and verb meanings.

Several dictionaries (Longman, Webster) list the verb 'dispute' as transitive, but then give example sentences that to me demonstrate intransitive use. What am I missing here?

From Longman (I've clipped out some aspects such as pronunciation guides not relevant to this discussion):
dispute 2 verb
1 [transitive] to say that something such as a fact or idea is not correct or true
The main facts of the book have never been disputed. (How is this transitive? I see no direct object. This example seems an intransitive use to me.)
dispute that
Few would dispute that travel broadens the mind.

2 [intransitive, transitive] formal to argue or disagree with someone
dispute (something) with somebody
Hazlitt, though much younger, was soon disputing with Wordsworth on equal terms. (Seems intransitive to me, which is okay given this definition is listed as both transitive and intransitive)
What happened next is hotly disputed. (Again, unless I'm missing something obvious, this is another intransitive example, leaving us with no transitive examples for this definition.)

3 [transitive] to try to get control of something or win something
Soviet forces disputed every inch of ground. (I agree this is a transitive example - we have a direct object with 'inch')

Webster does better, but has some of the same: (again some minor irrelevant editing on my part to ease posting)

transitive verb
1 a : to make the subject of verbal controversy or disputation
Legislators hotly disputed the bill. (Clearly has object ('bill') and is therefore transitive example)

b: to call into question or cast doubt upon
Her honesty was never disputed. (How is this transitive without any kind of object?)
The witness disputed the defendant's claim. (Clearly has object ('claim') and is therefore transitive example)

2 a : to struggle against : oppose
disputed the advance of the invaders (Clearly has object ('advance') and is therefore transitive example)

b : to contend over
disputing ownership of the land (Clearly has object ('ownership') and is therefore transitive example)

Am I missing something or have these dictionaries erred with their example sentences in red?

 

[jutfrank]

I've always understood it that 'transitive verb' is a grammatical class, so even when used in a passive sentence such as Her honesty was never disputed, the verb 'dispute' is still classed as transitive. It doesn't matter how it's used in any particular sentence. In other words, the fact that there's no direct object in such passive sentence doesn't change the fact that there needs to be 'something' that is disputed.

I think it makes much more sense to say that these verbs require a particular argument (a semantic participant) rather than a direct object.