1
as in consideration
a careful weighing of the reasons for or against something
after much debate, I decided to get the chocolate ice cream
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in controversy
variance of opinion on a matter
there was a great deal of debate over the need for cutting costs by eliminating some programs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in discussion
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue
there was no debate over the expenditures before the vote
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to ponder
to give serious and careful thought to
still debating what to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to discuss
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion
we debated the advantages versus the disadvantages of the proposed waterfront development
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of debate
James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
The film, which won big at the Golden Globes, was previously embroiled in controversy over its use of artificial intelligence in dialect, with Corbet giving an assertive defense of his performers amid the debate.
—Sandra Gonzalez, CNN, 1 Mar. 2025
Michelle Fox, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
But iron oxides come in many flavors, and the exact chemistry of Martian rust has been intensely debated, the study reports.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debate
Noun
Simultaneously, the Russian intelligentsia was in a debate about the empire’s soul.
—James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
The film, which won big at the Golden Globes, was previously embroiled in controversy over its use of artificial intelligence in dialect, with Corbet giving an assertive defense of his performers amid the debate.
—Sandra Gonzalez, CNN, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
On Thursday, the S & P 500 slipped in volatile trading as investors debated President Donald Trump’s tariffs and the health of the U.S. economy after a series of reports that showed some softness.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
But iron oxides come in many flavors, and the exact chemistry of Martian rust has been intensely debated, the study reports.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debate
Noun
-
Bellas said the parks department would take Thursday’s public comments into consideration.—
Emma Hall,
Sacramento Bee,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Ong, 79, also consented to have a second charge taken into consideration for the purposes of sentencing at a court hearing scheduled on April 2, according to a statement from Hotel Properties, in which the tycoon serves as managing director.—
Jonathan Burgos,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The controversy surrounding Musk's involvement in Social Security stems from his push for deep cuts in government spending while also suggesting Social Security could be targeted.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
9 Mar. 2025
-
The estate, at the edge of Chico State’s campus, served as a cultural touchstone and educational space for generations of Chico residents, but not without controversy.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacramento Bee,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Gender must be at the core of climate finance planning and national accountability, not an afterthought or token discussion.—
Catarina Rolfsdotter-Jansson,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
-
Her feelings on the country’s hard-right swing were not articulated during the discussion, but they were certainly alluded to.—
Mikey O'Connell,
The Hollywood Reporter,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Amid this dark, silent space, the siblings survived on rice balls and pondered what had just happened to their serene home.—
Ronan O'Connell,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 Feb. 2025
-
The Kaan isn’t even the first fifth-generation fighter project the Emirates has purportedly pondered joining.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The leaders will also discuss whether to place more arms contracts with Ukraine's defense industry, and to help integrate it into the European industrial network.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
6 Mar. 2025
-
Consuelos and Ripa regularly discuss married life on their morning talk show.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Two Israeli officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said the government believed that with the aid and goods that entered the enclave in recent months and during the temporary ceasefire, there were enough supplies in Gaza for several more months.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
arkansasonline.com,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Journalists reviewed documents, including procurement organizations’ policies on skipping patients, private complaints filed by doctors and internal records of deliberations among leaders of the transplant system.—
Brian M. Rosenthal,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
After two years of litigation and arbitration, Adidas and Ye reached an out-of-court resolution of their contractual dispute stemming from Adidas terminating the relationship.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
5 Mar. 2025
-
The dispute about the FEMA funds comes as the Trump administration is considering reshaping or abolishing FEMA.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The Swiss government opened the consultation process on a new Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) agreement to provide for the automatic and reciprocal exchange of information between Swiss and U.S. tax authorities.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
-
Younger patients are booking consultations, as well.—
Elycia Rubin,
The Hollywood Reporter,
8 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debate. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share