discuss

verb

dis·​cuss di-ˈskəs How to pronounce discuss (audio)
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 himShakespeare
3
obsolete : dispel
discussable adjective
or discussible
discusser noun
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
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.
Meta made changes to its AI chatbot policies following the report and now prevents its bots from discussing subjects like self-harm, suicide and eating disorders with teens. Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025 The superpowers imposed punishing tariffs on one another earlier this year, only to lower them, and had for months been discussing a trade deal. Ben Smith, semafor.com, 17 Oct. 2025 London — Prince Andrew will relinquish the use of his royal titles including Duke of York after discussing the matter with King Charles. Max Foster, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025 Kate, Hal, Grace and her husband, Todd Penn (Bradley Whitford), have traveled to the estate to repair their international relationship and discuss the existence of a powerful weapon known as the Poseidon, located on a Russian submarine off the coast of England. Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for discuss

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of discuss was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Discuss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discuss. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

discuss

verb
dis·​cuss dis-ˈkəs How to pronounce discuss (audio)
1
: to consider carefully and openly by reasoning or argument
discuss a proposal
2
: to talk about
discuss the weather

More from Merriam-Webster on discuss

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