debate

1 a careful weighing of the reasons for or against something after much debate, I decided to get the chocolate ice cream Synonyms account, advisement, consideration, deliberation, reflection, study, thoughtRelated Words cogitation, contemplation, meditation, pondering, rumination; introspection; agonizing, hesitation, indecision; premeditationAntonyms short shrift

2 variance of opinion on a matter there was a great deal of debate over the need for cutting costs by eliminating some programs Synonyms contestation, controversy, disagreement, difference, difficulty, disputation, dispute, dissension (also dissention), dissensus, firestorm, nonconcurrenceRelated Words clash, collision, conflict, confliction, disaccord, discord, dissonance; apartness, divarication, division; combat, contention, strife, struggle; altercation, argument, bicker, falling-out, fight, kickup, misunderstanding, quarrel, set-toNear Antonyms acceptance, compliance; concord, peaceAntonyms accord, agreement, consensus, harmony, unanimity

3 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 argument, argumentation, argy-bargy [chiefly British], back-and-forth, colloquy, confab, confabulation, conference, consult, consultation, council, counsel, discussion, deliberation, dialogue (also dialog), give-and-take, palaver, parley, talkRelated Words bull session, chat room, forum, meeting, powwow, roundtable, seminar, skull session (also skull practice), symposium, talkathon; chat, conversation, rap, words; discourse, disquisition; bargaining, consultancy, negotiation, pourparler