1
as in consideration
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 controversy
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 discussion
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 to ponder
to give serious and careful thought to
still debating what to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to discuss
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 debate
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
19 June 2026
Too often, the public debate still treats poverty as an individual failure instead of a policy failure.
—
Aisha Nyandoro,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Thomas Wright,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
The idea of taxing, fining or otherwise demanding revenue from companies whose employees qualify for Medicaid is being debated in several states.
—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for debate
Noun
The debate about young people’s social media use has hit a peak in recent months, with Australia introducing legislation to ban social media for under-16s.
—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
19 June 2026
Too often, the public debate still treats poverty as an individual failure instead of a policy failure.
—
Aisha Nyandoro,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
For two decades, Washington has debated how to engage with this volatile region.
—
Thomas Wright,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
The idea of taxing, fining or otherwise demanding revenue from companies whose employees qualify for Medicaid is being debated in several states.
—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for debate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debate
Noun
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Sure, having a ridiculous number of backup products would ensure that there is no need unaddressed, mass considerations for spaceflight are extremely serious and future missions will need to have better data to know what will be needed in a microgravity environment.
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After a second of consideration, Naim slams the grate shut to the monster’s wails, and the audience’s relief.
Noun
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Worth noting Relievers Sam Hentges and Ryan Walker made their first appearances back at Oracle Park since the Pride Night controversy became a national story.
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The controversy began during a segment on the French sports network L’Équipe when presenter France Pierron argued that participating in the World Cup was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that should take precedence over family obligations.
Noun
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Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Syed Asim Munir have departed Islamabad and are on their way to Switzerland where diplomatic discussions between the US and Iran are unfolding, a statement from the prime minister’s office said Sunday.
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Swift showed up in a video clip at the end of the show that circled back to earlier discussion about Kelce’s picky eating proclivities.
Verb
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Even the most technology-savvy leaders are still pondering and probing where the ceiling is in terms of containing agent sprawl and complexity.
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Any larger Hollywood studio would have likely insisted on a grander finale, but The Death of Robin Hood, produced by A24, left me pondering the foolishness of my need for such a denouement.
Verb
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In discussing the matter, Hahn also called for the county to look into establishing an emergency stockpile of air purifiers and other critical supplies to better prepare for future disasters.
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Without discussing too much in detail, councilmembers raised several potential alternatives during the meeting, including parking garage subsidies, downtown employee waivers and a comprehensive citywide review of parking programs.
Noun
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Raymond Meza, who chaired the Charter Reform Commission, acknowledged that pay, staffing and the cost of each council office didn’t come up during his panel’s deliberations.
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Xenotransplantation therefore remains ethically contested and lacks stable social consensus, warranting explicit democratic deliberation rather than implicit normalization.
Noun
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The dispute has opened a new front in a years-long fight over transparency at the shelter, which has faced multiple investigations into overcrowding, animal deaths and a sharp decline in transfers to rescue groups.
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As bitcoin becomes more involved in private contracts, treasury strategies, cross border settlement and business arrangements, disputes will not always arrive in court as dramatic stories about hacks or scams.
Noun
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Start by requesting a full estimate of the procedure, including consultations, lab work, and follow-up appointments.
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Beyond manufacturing, The Yard includes a design studio, a bespoke consultation room for custom frame commissions, a training academy for opticians and makers, and a growing archive of historic spectacles spanning more than two centuries.
Cite this Entry
“Debate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debate. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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