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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Recent Examples of debated
Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
The trade, approved under new team governor Patrick Dumont, has remained one of the most debated moves in recent NBA history, according to sports analysts, with lingering questions about communication within the organization and the long-term direction of the franchise.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
The referendum centers on long debated reforms aimed at reshaping the structure of Italy’s judiciary.
—ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Safety aspects of autonomous vehicles remain debated, but industry groups claim the technology could reduce road fatalities by removing human error from driving.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2026
Actor Jeff Daniels ran out of jelly one day, reached for barbecue sauce instead, and accidentally created one of the most debated sandwiches on the internet.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
That balance of a decades-old history and a new brand’s need to establish itself in its own right shapes the leadership challenge facing Strazik, who joined GE in 2000 when it was still led by Jack Welch, one of the defining — and most debated — business leaders of the 20th century.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
As one of Cohen's most frequent guests on his late-night talk show Watch What Happens Live, Rapaport has generated some of its most viral and debated moments, like a fiery 2018 spat between the actor and Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Jan. 2026
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
Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 13 Apr. 2026
While the issue of who is to pay is debated, the homeowner is left to wait and suffer.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Commenters online debated the issue.
—Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Through the years, it’s been debated in bars, argued in newspapers, litigated in court, decided by juries and appealed all the way to the Supreme Court.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
In the wake of the shooting, commissioners debated in January whether to tighten the rules.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
Fifteen laws have either been passed or are currently being debated in 11 states.
—Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 7 Apr. 2026
The bill will be presented to the Council of Ministers on Wednesday before being debated in the National Assembly and Senate, with a final vote expected at the end of July, an agriculture ministry official told reporters on a call.
—Nayla Razzouk, Bloomberg, 7 Apr. 2026
The legislature has debated different iterations of the bill six times over last 10 years and all failed.
—Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The most controversial and debated article on Mint Press News is about the use of chemical agents in the Syrian civil war.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
The trade, approved under new team governor Patrick Dumont, has remained one of the most debated moves in recent NBA history, according to sports analysts, with lingering questions about communication within the organization and the long-term direction of the franchise.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
The referendum centers on long debated reforms aimed at reshaping the structure of Italy’s judiciary.
—ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Safety aspects of autonomous vehicles remain debated, but industry groups claim the technology could reduce road fatalities by removing human error from driving.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2026
Actor Jeff Daniels ran out of jelly one day, reached for barbecue sauce instead, and accidentally created one of the most debated sandwiches on the internet.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
That balance of a decades-old history and a new brand’s need to establish itself in its own right shapes the leadership challenge facing Strazik, who joined GE in 2000 when it was still led by Jack Welch, one of the defining — and most debated — business leaders of the 20th century.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
As one of Cohen's most frequent guests on his late-night talk show Watch What Happens Live, Rapaport has generated some of its most viral and debated moments, like a fiery 2018 spat between the actor and Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Jan. 2026
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
Verb
But those plans were set aside last year while the future of the ISS was debated, and Sierra Space announced a pivot to national defense and security applications in orbit.
—Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 13 Apr. 2026
While the issue of who is to pay is debated, the homeowner is left to wait and suffer.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Commenters online debated the issue.
—Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Through the years, it’s been debated in bars, argued in newspapers, litigated in court, decided by juries and appealed all the way to the Supreme Court.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
In the wake of the shooting, commissioners debated in January whether to tighten the rules.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
Fifteen laws have either been passed or are currently being debated in 11 states.
—Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 7 Apr. 2026
The bill will be presented to the Council of Ministers on Wednesday before being debated in the National Assembly and Senate, with a final vote expected at the end of July, an agriculture ministry official told reporters on a call.
—Nayla Razzouk, Bloomberg, 7 Apr. 2026
The legislature has debated different iterations of the bill six times over last 10 years and all failed.
—Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debated
Adjective
-
There was violence after the disputed 2025 reelection of 92-year-old Cameroonian President Paul Biya, who first came to power in 1982.—
Mathew Schmalz,
The Conversation,
9 Apr. 2026
-
After Thompson’s testimony, Muscolino called witnesses, which included city workers, who testified against George’s claim to owning the disputed roadway.—
Kyle Martin,
Mercury News,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Converge vocalist Jacob Bannon pondered in a press statement.—
Kiana Mickles,
Pitchfork,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Someone who has pondered such niceties is Richard Posner, a former circuit judge and a prolific legal scholar.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Opponents of the conversion therapy ban argued the changes discussed Wednesday still run afoul of the Supreme Court's decision and undermine First Amendment protections.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
During a candidate forum last month, several candidates discussed efforts to improve biking trails and walkability in North Kansas City, expanding community involvement and rising home prices.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Hulu American Psycho (2000) Bret Easton Ellis’ 1991 best-seller looks unrecognizable in Mary Harron’s cinematic adaptation of the controversial novel.—
Debby Wolfinsohn,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Apr. 2026
-
In Wang’s recollection, Dhillon suggested that the press had chosen to focus on the division’s more controversial projects rather than its nonpartisan cases.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At various points in its history, executives contemplated a tie-up with sister company CNN (executives at the cable news channel are said to have put the kibosh on that quickly) or selling it outright.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
-
In the darkened foyer, Ember contemplated this unassuming bit of paper, momentarily paralyzed by a mixture of dread and excitement stirred together, an overpowering sensation that oozed from the crown of her head, down the length of her body, then hardened, like a soft golden resin becoming solid.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Steyer argued that California should restructure the market and expand alternative fuel sources, including importing refined fuel if necessary.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Lawyers for the environmental groups argued that the detention site is operated under an agreement with the federal government, and detainees are considered subjects of the federal government, not the state.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To be considered eligible for induction, the artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination.—
Daniela Avila,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
-
She is considered at risk due to medical conditions.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Details throughout the space reflect that approach, including the plateware — with each piece thrown by Orr, who studied pottery for two years after high school.—
Evan Moore
April 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
May studied the Oklahoma City Thunder, last year’s NBA champion, and considered the team’s roster construction, even picked Mark Daigneault’s brain about it a little bit.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debated. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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