discuss

verb

dis·​cuss di-ˈskəs How to pronounce discuss (audio)
discussed; discussing; discusses
Synonyms of discussnext

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
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.
The two shared a dinner while Lewis was researching Going Infinite, because Lewis had sought out Altman to discuss Bankman-Fried, given that the FTX founder had purchased a 20% stake in OpenAI rival Anthropic using customer funds. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026 Prominent conservatives have publicly discussed the value of shifting the Overton window. Laura K. Field, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026 The Senate Appropriations Committee will discuss House Bill 1002 at a later date. Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026 The Sacramento City Unified board of trustees will meet Thursday night at the Serna Center to discuss an update on their fiscal solvency plan and budget prospects for the coming years. Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026 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 6 Feb. 2026.

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

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