discuss

verb

dis·​cuss di-ˈskəs 

discussed; discussing; discusses

transitive verb

1

a

: to talk about

discussing the news of the day

b

: to investigate by reasoning or argument

discuss the matter with your family

c

: to present in detail for examination or consideration

as discussed in the text

2

obsolete : declare

discuss the same in French unto him

—Shakespeare

3

obsolete : dispel

discussable adjective

or discussible

di-ˈskə-sə-bəl 

discusser noun

Synonyms

• debate
• argue
• review

Choose the Right Synonym for discuss

discuss, argue, debate mean to discourse about in order to reach conclusions or to convince.

discuss implies a sifting of possibilities especially by presenting considerations pro and con.

discussed the need for a new highway

argue implies the offering of reasons or evidence in support of convictions already held.

argued that the project would be too costly

debate suggests formal or public argument between opposing parties

debated the merits of the amendment

; it may also apply to deliberation with oneself.

I'm debating whether I should go

Examples of discuss in a Sentence

She discussed the plan with several colleagues.

They held a meeting to discuss the future of the company.

We'll discuss where to meet later.

Have you discussed the matter with your family?

In the first chapter, the author discusses childcare issues.

The article discusses the theory in depth.

Recent Examples on the Web

The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, cautioned that the talks were in the early stages and that no proposal has been finalized. —Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025

So, a little more than an hour before the Dodgers’ lineup was released, pitching coach Mark Prior discussed the idea of having Ohtani make the start in Glasnow’s place. —Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the plan publicly. —Aya Batrawy, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025

In a 2021 article written in the midst of the chaos of the pandemic, philosopher Marcelo Vieira Lopes argues that one way to discuss these changes is as loss of trust. —Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French discusser, from Latin discussus, past participle of discutere to disperse, from dis- apart + quatere to shake — more at dis-, quash

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for discuss

• pileus
• bus
• buss
• cuss
• fuss
• glace
• huss
• plus
• pus
• russ
• sus
• suss

Kids Definition

discuss

verb

dis·​cuss dis-ˈkəs 

1

: to consider carefully and openly by reasoning or argument

discuss a proposal

2

: to talk about

discuss the weather