debater

noun

Definition of debaternext
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 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 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 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
  1. disputant
  2. defendant
  3. arguer
  4. plaintiff
  5. fighter
  6. contestant
  7. advocate
  8. scrapper
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
  • While those companies are not named in the Boulder case, they are named as defendants in similar climate lawsuits filed across the country, suits that very likely would be affected by the high court’s ruling.
    — Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Germany's Constitutional Court ruled last year that the extradition was unlawful because it could not be guaranteed that the defendant would not be subject to inhumane or degrading treatment in Hungarian custody.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of defendant
Noun
  • Martha’s father, a law professor, had trained her to be a rational, step-by-step arguer.
    — Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of arguer
Noun
  • But the network counters the plaintiffs' claims on technical and legal grounds.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Students for Fair Admissions was the plaintiff in the 2023 Supreme Court affirmative action cases.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of plaintiff
Noun
  • Boeing wins Navy fighter competition Boeing was competing with Northrop Grumman for the F/A-XX contract.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Turkey for years battled Turkish Kurdish fighters based in northern Iraq before agreeing this year to a peace deal.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of fighter
Noun
  • Working in pairs, the contestants have only basic tools and limited food.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • After three months of mandatory surgeries, dental work, starvation, and squats, the contestants see their reflections for the first time during a dramatic onscreen reveal.
    — Jolene Edgar, Allure, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of contestant
Noun
  • As the second Cunningham rally raged outside the Moda Center, once again pitting women's sports advocates against pro-trans counter-protesters, WNBA coaches faced consequential questioning inside.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • So would Hilton at least be an advocate for undocumented immigrants?
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 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

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debater
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Cite this Entry

“Debater.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debater. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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