as in disputed
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1
as in pondered
to give serious and careful thought to
still debating what to do
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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
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
For decades, scientists have debated the origin of Earth's water.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 10 Nov. 2025
In the state of Florida, where hospitality and tourism are key for the local economy, tipping is both ritualistic and debated.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
This phenomenon has long been debated in theory, but now the impact can be observed directly across a large population of stars.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025
During their discussion, Pattinson and Lawrence briefly debated whether Pattinson could be considered part of Gen Z.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
What's really behind the baby bust The reasons Americans choose not to have children are hotly debated in academic circles, with many attributing America’s baby bust to shifting priorities and societal norms.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
They were debated in governor’s races in New Jersey and Virginia.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Williams, an undersized combo forward who carves out space at will and debated turning pro after a first-team All-Big-12 campaign last year, will be the fulcrum of everything after transferring from Texas Tech.
—Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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
Verb
But as the roiling controversy shows, that characterization is hotly debated – and Suharto’s legacy is anything but straightforward.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
For decades, scientists have debated the origin of Earth's water.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 10 Nov. 2025
In the state of Florida, where hospitality and tourism are key for the local economy, tipping is both ritualistic and debated.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
This phenomenon has long been debated in theory, but now the impact can be observed directly across a large population of stars.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025
During their discussion, Pattinson and Lawrence briefly debated whether Pattinson could be considered part of Gen Z.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
What's really behind the baby bust The reasons Americans choose not to have children are hotly debated in academic circles, with many attributing America’s baby bust to shifting priorities and societal norms.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
They were debated in governor’s races in New Jersey and Virginia.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Williams, an undersized combo forward who carves out space at will and debated turning pro after a first-team All-Big-12 campaign last year, will be the fulcrum of everything after transferring from Texas Tech.
—Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debated
Adjective
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Tanzania is one of several African countries to hold disputed elections this year that have resulted in unrest.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
-
In disputed territories, the drone’s ability to deliver real-time monitoring and rapid response capabilities could give operators a significant tactical advantage, reinforcing control over contested zones, the South China Morning Post writes.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Researchers pondered what the gargantuan black hole consumed to release such a powerful flare.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The Athletic’s Mike Jones recently wondered if Miami had to go on a postseason run to save McDaniel’s job, and CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz pondered during the Chiefs-Raiders game whether there would soon be news out of Miami.—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For example, as part of its agreement with OpenAI, Nvidia has reportedly discussed guaranteeing loans the startup would use to build its own data centers—a move that could leave the chipmaker on the hook for billions in debt if OpenAI can’t repay.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
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Beyond Tuesday’s news, here’s a look at what else happened recently that has already given the trial shape — from who will be called to the witness stand, to which financial disclosures will be discussed, to the likelihood of a settlement.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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This loss had to be especially tough for the Jayhawks, considering a controversial holding call on KU changed the momentum of the game.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Watson’s combination of scientific achievement and controversial remarks created a complicated legacy.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Hadn’t really contemplated it — was doing a bunch of other things.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
-
To that point, the settlement attempts to correct an economic harm and cannot address possible harms that are contemplated by other areas of law.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Cotton argued the shutdown’s cause was not the expiring health care subsidies, but rather Democrats’ fear of blowback from their supporters.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Nardin argued for a change in the mindset that automatically favors large-scale production of a single product.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Julann Carney, a Realtor and property manager in Sherwood, said the plans for the money raised by the bonds are ill considered and add too much to the bills of residents.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Nov. 2025
-
When Laughton was elected as a state representative in 2012, she was considered to be the first openly transgender person elected to a state legislature.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The science specialist university, together with Jabra, studied how voice technology will impact the future of work, and the scientists predicted that by 2028, voice AI will become the default way of working.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
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Sold to Menemsha, studied in its craft, genuinely tense and gorgeously shot, highlighting the heavenly mountains and a historical hell.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debated. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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