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

Relevance

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 At the time, Kundassery was a high-school debater in Fremont, California, where his parents had moved after emigrating from India on H1-B visas. — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026 The accomplishments of athletes are every bit as impressive and legitimate as those of dancers, debaters, and oboists. — Geraldo L. Cadava, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2026 Research has previously shown that AI models can be extremely persuasive, more so than even the best human salespeople or debaters. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 Personal laptops allow debaters to research, organize evidence and prepare for tournaments during free periods. — Kavin Bendre, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 The debaters themselves hold the incentive to say extreme statements to become a viral clip as well. — Vriti Shah, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 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 Not focusing on data can drive a traditional debater crazy. — Lisa Pavia-Higel, The Conversation, 27 May 2026 Porter is a talented debater but seemed overly defensive about her past hot temper. — George Skelton, Mercury News, 14 May 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

Alon is a co-defendant in one of them, stemming from a 2016 New Year’s Eve alleged rape at Alon’s condo in Miami Beach that prosecutors say involved both twins.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026
That other defendant, Devin Brown, is scheduled to go on trial next month.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of defendant

Noun

The lawyers for the Presley plaintiffs are seeking roughly $50 million in damages, along with reimbursement of court costs and attorneys fees.

— James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Authentic Brands Group filed alongside a number of co-plaintiffs with ownership over Presley rights.

— Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of plaintiff

Noun

The witness, who also spoke on condition of anonymity in fear of reprisals, said civilians in Nyala often gather wherever fighters congregate to sell food and tea to earn a living amid widespread unemployment and few sources of income.

— YASSIR ABDALLA, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
The project is designed to prepare Selfridge for the arrival of F-15EX fighter jets after officials spent years fighting to replace the base's aging A-10 mission.

— Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of fighter

Noun

There’s something so unsettling about a game show where the contestants’ well-being is not considered, and The Tonight Show leaned into that uncanniness to great effect.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Other celebs to have been announced include Celebrity Traitors contestant Joe Lycett and the Sugababes.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of contestant

Noun

Imara Jones, an advocate who runs a website that features the stories of transgender people, said the issue is attractive for conservatives because some Democrats agree with them.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Medicaid reimbursement rate cuts anger foster care advocates and lawmakers.

— Adam Beam, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 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

Browse Nearby Words

debated

debater

debaters

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Debater.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debater. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of debater

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shindig

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes