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

Mark Smith Clarke, the designer behind the genderless Archie collection, discussed his use of natural fibers in an interview with the Lifestyle Monitor™ at NYMD. —Catherine Salfino, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2025

But mostly the veteran producer spent his wide-ranging conversation with Variety‘s Clayton Davis explaining the job that is often hard to define — the role of a producer — and discussing the state of the film business. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025

The news conference earlier this week went far beyond discussing Tylenol. —Edith Bracho-Sanchez, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025

Some books are more dense and can have ‘deeper’ conversations about, and some are more light and fun and people can still connect and discuss those, too. —Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 26 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