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
Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
Legal closure, unresolved debates With the misdemeanor plea now entered, Kamau avoids a felony conviction and the uncertainty of a jury trial.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
And look for dozens of episodes featuring genre-spanning discussions, debates, and explainers with Rolling Stone’s critics and reporters.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2026
There are lots of debates about how, which makes sense because there is no single answer, no silver bullet, to end the crisis of antisemitism.
—Jonathan Greenblatt, Sun Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2026
College campuses have increasingly become flashpoints in national debates over free speech.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
These are important distinctions to make because Pro Bowl appearances are widely cited in Hall of Fame debates — not for Sanders at this early stage, but certainly for some others.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
No doubt, Youngkin’s boards engaged in some of the era’s most contentious debates.
—Andy Smarick, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2026
Despite their central role, nonprofits are routinely treated as afterthoughts in budget debates and regulatory design.
—Cat Ward, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
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
As the city debates a major shift that could expand its year-round stock of shelter beds, organizations serving people experiencing homelessness remain at full capacity and a double-digit increase in demand in the region during the recent severe cold weather is likely an indicator what’s to come.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026
In the recording, the council debates whether there would be any benefits since Prohaska had already resigned.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2026
The crypto firm’s move comes as California debates a ballot measure that would tax billionaires 5% on their total wealth for healthcare funding.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
This lesson matters today as the international community debates the future of Venezuela.
—Rick Singh, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
History debates The earlier 1870s period, when Levis Strauss and Jacob Davis patented the rivet, is an era in denim history which has many holes.
—Mohsin Sajid, Sourcing Journal, 16 Dec. 2025
As the nation debates health care affordability in the wake of a federal government shutdown over Affordable Care Act health insurance costs and subsidies, West Health officials said the survey quantifies Americans worries and struggles to pay for health care.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
Noun
The same rule that bans smoking and the use of cell phones during debates, among other things, also bars the display of slogans, banners or plaques.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
Legal closure, unresolved debates With the misdemeanor plea now entered, Kamau avoids a felony conviction and the uncertainty of a jury trial.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
And look for dozens of episodes featuring genre-spanning discussions, debates, and explainers with Rolling Stone’s critics and reporters.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2026
There are lots of debates about how, which makes sense because there is no single answer, no silver bullet, to end the crisis of antisemitism.
—Jonathan Greenblatt, Sun Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2026
College campuses have increasingly become flashpoints in national debates over free speech.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
These are important distinctions to make because Pro Bowl appearances are widely cited in Hall of Fame debates — not for Sanders at this early stage, but certainly for some others.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
No doubt, Youngkin’s boards engaged in some of the era’s most contentious debates.
—Andy Smarick, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2026
Despite their central role, nonprofits are routinely treated as afterthoughts in budget debates and regulatory design.
—Cat Ward, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
As the city debates a major shift that could expand its year-round stock of shelter beds, organizations serving people experiencing homelessness remain at full capacity and a double-digit increase in demand in the region during the recent severe cold weather is likely an indicator what’s to come.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026
In the recording, the council debates whether there would be any benefits since Prohaska had already resigned.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2026
The crypto firm’s move comes as California debates a ballot measure that would tax billionaires 5% on their total wealth for healthcare funding.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
This lesson matters today as the international community debates the future of Venezuela.
—Rick Singh, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
History debates The earlier 1870s period, when Levis Strauss and Jacob Davis patented the rivet, is an era in denim history which has many holes.
—Mohsin Sajid, Sourcing Journal, 16 Dec. 2025
As the nation debates health care affordability in the wake of a federal government shutdown over Affordable Care Act health insurance costs and subsidies, West Health officials said the survey quantifies Americans worries and struggles to pay for health care.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debates
Noun
-
China is not currently a member of the WHO executive board, but other countries are allowed to attend its meetings and take part in its deliberations.—
Helen Branswell,
STAT,
6 Feb. 2026
-
After days of deliberations, the House justice committee voted to dismiss the impeachment complaints filed by left-wing activists and a lawyer against Marcos.—
JIM GOMEZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
More recently, controversies like a Pokemon card game event that was originally planned to be held at a shrine to honor Japan’s war dead still triggered angry comments on Chinese social media, but no obvious broader repercussions.—
Chan Ho-Him,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Years of high-profile controversies — plea deals, pardons and investigations that feel politicized depending on who is involved — have left Americans skeptical that justice is blind.—
Kaitlyn Buss,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While the fatalities have occurred along the Central Coast and in Northern California, the phenomenon has prompted concerns and discussions among mycological societies and amateur foragers across the Golden State.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Two years ago, PURA launched the Stakeholder Group Compensation Program, which helps families and small businesses join discussions at PURA.—
Kendall Keelen,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That hypothesis makes sense to outside experts like Lauren Trainor, a developmental neuroscientist who studies music perception at McMaster University.—
Regina G. Barber,
NPR,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Aim for at least a liter a day, says Jodi Stookey, a nutrition epidemiologist who studies hydration.—
Katharine Gammon,
Time,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the first, former Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander discusses significant changes in how NFL teams treat his former position.—
Scott Soshnick,
Sportico.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
D’Amaro has built stronger relationships and discusses storytelling and creativity more fluently than Chapek did, even as his Hollywood experience is limited.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some active seniors want downtime between adventures; others have health or mobility considerations or are traveling with less-active companions.—
Kathy Boardman,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
-
There’s a chance that you, too, have been traded by the Chicago Bulls for a second-round draft pick and cash considerations.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 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 company offers free consultations and publishes educational resources addressing common tax-debt questions.—
Deane Biermeier,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Costs vary based on the complexity of the case, but most reputable firms offer consultations and flexible payment plans.—
Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone
February 10,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debates. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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