1
as in deliberations
a careful weighing of the reasons for or against something
after much debate, I decided to get the chocolate ice cream
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in controversies
variance of opinion on a matter
there was a great deal of debate over the need for cutting costs by eliminating some programs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in discussions
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue
there was no debate over the expenditures before the vote
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in studies
to give serious and careful thought to
still debating what to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discusses
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion
we debated the advantages versus the disadvantages of the proposed waterfront development
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debates
Jesse Jackson Jr, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
There may be some debates, election posturing and shenanigans along the way.
—Staff Reports, AJC.com, 2 Apr. 2026
The seemingly endless saga for victims has fueled long and ongoing debates over Section 230.
—Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Roberts’s point is well taken, and the debates surrounding the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment do not support the Administration’s expansive interpretation.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
This is hardly the first time carnival celebrations have divided parts of German society and triggered debates about culture, politics, and history.
—Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 1 Apr. 2026
Catch up to the latest reaction and recap how the debates unfolded.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
His very different fate significantly reframes how we are prompted to read Mosley’s intervention in the era’s debates about crime and illness.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Alito said the 19th century debates may be misleading because there were no federal immigration laws then.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
Dallas is $5 million behind on sales tax revenue, adding pressure as the city debates whether to repair or relocate its nearly 50-year-old City Hall.
—Everton Bailey Jr, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Instead, Europe often debates sovereignty while buying dependency.
—Wolfgang Oels, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026
Springfield too often debates theory while communities experience consequences.
—Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
As of Tuesday, city staff confirmed both hotels have active liquor licenses and are able to serve alcohol as the council debates the renewal.
—Ashley Grams, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
The trio also debates the long-term viability of MLS’ media rights, and the economic opportunity if the league were to dedicate more resources to selling players.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 17 Feb. 2026
While social media debates whether their name is pronounced bet-tuh or bay-tuh, veterinarians tend to be more concerned with how they’re cared for than how they’re named.
—Sierra Leone Starks, Parents, 10 Feb. 2026
The chef debates whether to serve the cabins or the saloon first.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
These are sacred debates reflecting the unfinished work of liberation.
—Jesse Jackson Jr, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
There may be some debates, election posturing and shenanigans along the way.
—Staff Reports, AJC.com, 2 Apr. 2026
The seemingly endless saga for victims has fueled long and ongoing debates over Section 230.
—Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Roberts’s point is well taken, and the debates surrounding the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment do not support the Administration’s expansive interpretation.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
This is hardly the first time carnival celebrations have divided parts of German society and triggered debates about culture, politics, and history.
—Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 1 Apr. 2026
Catch up to the latest reaction and recap how the debates unfolded.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
His very different fate significantly reframes how we are prompted to read Mosley’s intervention in the era’s debates about crime and illness.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Alito said the 19th century debates may be misleading because there were no federal immigration laws then.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
At least 80% of voters support photo ID, polling that Republicans have repeatedly pointed to as the Senate debates the SAVE America Act, an election bill that Democrats claim is an attempt at voter suppression.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
Dallas is $5 million behind on sales tax revenue, adding pressure as the city debates whether to repair or relocate its nearly 50-year-old City Hall.
—Everton Bailey Jr, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Instead, Europe often debates sovereignty while buying dependency.
—Wolfgang Oels, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026
Springfield too often debates theory while communities experience consequences.
—Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
As of Tuesday, city staff confirmed both hotels have active liquor licenses and are able to serve alcohol as the council debates the renewal.
—Ashley Grams, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
The trio also debates the long-term viability of MLS’ media rights, and the economic opportunity if the league were to dedicate more resources to selling players.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 17 Feb. 2026
While social media debates whether their name is pronounced bet-tuh or bay-tuh, veterinarians tend to be more concerned with how they’re cared for than how they’re named.
—Sierra Leone Starks, Parents, 10 Feb. 2026
The chef debates whether to serve the cabins or the saloon first.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debates
Noun
-
The White House declined to comment for this story about the deliberations with Gulf allies.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Outsourcing has not been part of budget deliberations.—
Jan Goldsmith,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The musician further stressed that this was a creative choice, rather than anything related to the countless controversies Ye has embroiled himself in these past few years (and is ostensibly trying to move past).—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Athlete Caster Semenya, who has been at the center of many controversies due to her naturally high testosterone level, is calling for others to speak up, including Olympic governing bodies in Africa.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Mayor John Laesch said that, although discussions are still in their early stages, the property owner has seemed interested in working with the city or a nonprofit to get the sign lit back up, and also possibly donating the sign to the city.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
European defense officials are also in advanced discussions to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz once the war ends, sources told the New York Times.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At Bristol-Plymouth, MacDonald studies digital and visual communications and enjoys science and social studies, especially the disability civil rights movement and advocacy.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The high-flying performance left gold vulnerable to a selloff, Campbell Harvey, a professor at Duke's Fuqua School of Business who studies commodity prices, told ABC News.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The TikTok health trends Ashley discusses required some quick education.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Colm Tóibín discusses his new collection, The News from Dublin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The new law lays out several overarching protections for children that might seem obvious, such as the right to live in a safe and healthy environment, and appropriate safety considerations in visitation and placement decisions.—
Shannon Tyler
March 27,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Mar. 2026
-
But traveling in retirement can come with challenges, including health considerations, finances, and family responsibilities.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
According to him, advances in machine learning have yanked questions once trapped inside theological/philosophical disputations into corporate board packs.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The directors’ lab will support filmmakers preparing their first features, while the writers’ lab will offer workshops, table reads, peer mentorship and one-on-one consultations to help emerging screenwriters refine their scripts.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The process for patients to get approval to die involves submitting two requests in writing followed up by consultations with medical professionals not previously involved in the case.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debates. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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