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

• agitate
• argue
• bandy
• bat (around or back and forth)
• canvass
• canvas
• debate
• dispute
• hash (over or out)
• moot
• talk over

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

But the truth is, many of the most essential life planning tools—like a will, trust or guardianship directive—are rarely discussed or offered at work. —Cody Barbo, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025

Rather, Evans says, this viral moment is an opportunity to discuss what is acceptable and what isn't in a relationship. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 29 May 2025

Chair Powell did not discuss his expectations for monetary policy, except to stress that the path of policy will depend entirely on incoming economic information and what that means for the outlook. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 29 May 2025

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell met with U.S. President Donald Trump today at the White House to discuss the state of the economy. —Niamh Rowe, Quartz, 29 May 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