Thesaurus results for DEBATER

debater

noun

Definition of debater

as in disputant

a person who takes part in a dispute the debater was unable to come up with a convincing rebuttal for his opponent's argument

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of debater The fraud debaters offer many preferred litmus tests. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 14 Dec. 2025 Porter is a talented debater but seemed overly defensive about her past hot temper. — George Skelton, Mercury News, 14 May 2026 Both were part of Richmond’s circle, and both were ready to debate an idea without deleting the debater. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 8 June 2026 Not focusing on data can drive a traditional debater crazy. — Lisa Pavia-Higel, The Conversation, 27 May 2026 Judging simply by the crowd’s response, the debaters arguing that CSOs remain relevant won handily. — Justin Worland, Time, 20 Feb. 2026 Dylan Black, a SDA freshman who took the pilot course this year, said the class allowed students to learn more about each other and also become better debaters and thinkers. — Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026 High school debaters are much more polite and reasonable, even compared to presidential candidates, the group’s president, Walt Breitinger, observed. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026 For instance, perhaps a student’s Activities List includes four years as a competitive debater, a part-time job choreographing for a local dance studio, and a long-running hobby restoring vintage radios. — Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for debater

Noun

The Jay Treaty asked the disputants merely to start a process leading to the appointment of arbitrators qualified to decide their disputes fairly and finally.

— Tom Bell, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2025
The audience and actor are like disputants kept in different rooms, forbidden to see each other fully.

— Jesse Green, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025

Definition of disputant

Noun

His girlfriend, Syanna Ruiz, held their child in court, demanding the defendants remain behind bars.

— Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 2 July 2026
In court documents, O’Hara alleged the defendants violated his First and Fourth Amendment rights, accusing them of unlawfully restricting free speech and initiating an unlawful seizure while using excessive force.

— Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of defendant

Noun

Afterward, Fecher said the public employees retirement system's Investment and Finance Committee on June 23 authorized the system to seek lead plaintiff status in the class-action securities lawsuit against Sportradar.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 July 2026
More on the Bojangles data breach case The plaintiffs want the case certified as a class action and decided by a jury.

— Chase Jordan July 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026

Definition of plaintiff

Noun

Unfortunately, some of Ukraine’s military leaders—who were raised under Soviet doctrine—are doing just this, using available fighter aircraft as simply airborne artillery.

— David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Red wavelengths are typically marketed for anti-aging benefits, while blue is positioned as an acne fighter.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of fighter

Noun

The Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island in New York on July 4, where contestants ate several days' worth of calories in just 10 minutes.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026
The reality star — who was briefly engaged to the winner of his season, Hannah Ann Sluss, and dated his fifth place contestant, Kelley Flanagan, on and off for years — addressed the book for the first time on Monday.

— Sarah Hearon, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026

Definition of contestant

Noun

While advocates for court reporters say humans can still do the job better than machines, the fact that many hearings occur without any official transcript at all has drawn concern from top state officials.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Human rights advocates have also welcomed Jin’s release but cautioned that many members of Zion Church still remain behind bars.

— Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 5 July 2026

Definition of advocate

Noun

Willis is a clear scrapper who can really move.

— Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
Bastian Schweinsteiger — winger in 2006, classy playmaker in 2010 and midfield scrapper in the final here — returned to full fitness midway through the tournament and also played a key role.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2026

Definition of scrapper

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“Debater.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debater. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of debater

noun

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