1
as in pondered
to give serious and careful thought to
still debating what to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discussed
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
as in disputed
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of debated
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Seclusion and restraint The use of restraint and seclusion practices to address disabled students’ behavioral issues has increasingly become a debated issue among education specialists.
—IndyStar, 8 Sep. 2025
This secular trend is welcome, but its causes remain debated.
—Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
The really repressive power of the state to stop alternative ideas from coming into circulation, from being debated and from having the chance to build their case.
—Pamela Avila, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
On social media, some debated whether the police department's telling of events was accurate and others urged witnesses or those with video to share it.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Some researchers have debated whether the HSI category has become too broad, grouping schools with vastly different resources, missions and student populations.
—Joseph Morales, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
The origins of this dish, like many in Greece, are debated—a similar preparation appears in Homer’s epics, though in recent years, Turkey has claimed it as their own, calling it kokoreç.
—Katherine Whittaker, Saveur, 9 Oct. 2025
Justices can either uphold the Court of Appeals’ dismissal of the case or remand it back to the Court of Claims for consideration, which would then mean the legality of Michigan denying workers' compensation wages to undocumented workers who suffer injuries on the job could be debated.
—Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
For example, Reuters reports that the list of Palestinian prisoners Israel will free is still being debated.
—Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 9 Oct. 2025
As the country achieved independence from British rule, artists debated what new forms of nationhood, identity and art could look like.
—Suyin Haynes, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
Dogs are believed to descend from ancient gray wolves, though the exact wolf populations that gave rise to them remain debated.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Seclusion and restraint The use of restraint and seclusion practices to address disabled students’ behavioral issues has increasingly become a debated issue among education specialists.
—IndyStar, 8 Sep. 2025
This secular trend is welcome, but its causes remain debated.
—Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Over multiple video updates, Tawes debated on what to do with the stray.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
The really repressive power of the state to stop alternative ideas from coming into circulation, from being debated and from having the chance to build their case.
—Pamela Avila, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
On social media, some debated whether the police department's telling of events was accurate and others urged witnesses or those with video to share it.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Some researchers have debated whether the HSI category has become too broad, grouping schools with vastly different resources, missions and student populations.
—Joseph Morales, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
The origins of this dish, like many in Greece, are debated—a similar preparation appears in Homer’s epics, though in recent years, Turkey has claimed it as their own, calling it kokoreç.
—Katherine Whittaker, Saveur, 9 Oct. 2025
Justices can either uphold the Court of Appeals’ dismissal of the case or remand it back to the Court of Claims for consideration, which would then mean the legality of Michigan denying workers' compensation wages to undocumented workers who suffer injuries on the job could be debated.
—Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
For example, Reuters reports that the list of Palestinian prisoners Israel will free is still being debated.
—Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 9 Oct. 2025
As the country achieved independence from British rule, artists debated what new forms of nationhood, identity and art could look like.
—Suyin Haynes, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debated
Verb
-
Many pondered what McDavid, many who believe is the NHL’s best player, would do.—
Greg Liodice,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Jason briefly pondered Travis’ stats for games during his birthday week, but his younger brother wasn’t having it.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano of ESPN discussed players who could be in line for an extension, and Jones' name came up.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Randall Spencer, a veteran criminal defense attorney familiar with homicide cases, discussed with Fox News Digital the confidential nature of the evidence, potential legal strategies, and why Robinson has remained out of public view since his first court appearance.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
How the court handles the disputed evidence—and whether federal agencies correct or stand by their initial narrative—could shape not only this prosecution but also the broader debate over the use of force and accountability in federal immigration enforcement operations in Chicago.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Arunachal Pradesh is a disputed region in the Himalayan mountains along the India-China border.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Judge Stanley Blumenfeld agreed to extend the trial date, originally contemplated for next August, to October 2026.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
9 Oct. 2025
-
This has been long-contemplated in American literature.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Her defense argued that Owens had been the aggressor in the dispute and cited Lorincz’ mental health.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
But Cook and his clients argued that preserving the school was not feasible.—
IndyStar,
IndyStar,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The sketch began by portraying part of Bondi’s controversial Senate hearing this week, where the United States Attorney General was grilled and cagey about topics such as the Jeffrey Epstein files.—
William Earl,
Variety,
12 Oct. 2025
-
American Eagle –– whose partner brand Aerie has been known for marketing underwear to women with imagery that celebrated stretch marks, cellulite and a range of body sizes — ran a controversial ad campaign starting in July.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Eliminating the Phillies — a team some analysts considered the best in baseball — elevated the Dodgers from +200 to +120 odds.—
Scott Phillips,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Under California law, the relatives are considered victims of the 1989 crime and had the right to share statements with the board.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Rhoden and her colleagues studied how the eccentricity could have changed to recreate what is seen at Mimas today.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Yet, despite this thorough materialism, the survival of Lucretius’ poem depends entirely on two manuscripts copied out in the Carolingian period, and one of them was certainly at the royal court, where it was studied and annotated by the Irish scholar Dungal.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debated. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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