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 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 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

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

Clark said the case is likely to renew questions about how courts weigh public safety when deciding whether to release defendants before trial.

— Maddie White, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
When those decisions go wrong, the cost lands on defendants, victims and anyone whose future turns on what an examiner finds.

— Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of defendant

Noun

In an April 2025 complaint, the plaintiffs alleged O'Reilly violated the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) by sending multiple unsolicited text messages to numbers on the registry.

— Brian Sloan, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
Dana McSherry and Paul Hughes of McDermott Will & Emery are counsel for the plaintiffs.

— Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of plaintiff

Noun

In one case, a man is accused of intercepting flight communications near an airbase where US fighter jets are based, while in the other, information about military drills between US and South Korean forces was allegedly obtained.

— Yoonjung Seo, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
There have been very public sightings of our new stealth bomber, and it's believed the F-47, a sixth-generation stealth fighter, has been spotted just once.

— David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of fighter

Noun

Higgins was joined by Rausch and fellow Season 4 contestants Monét X Change, Tara Lipinski, Lisa Rinna, Rob Cesternino and Eric Nam for the Deadline conversation.

— The Deadline Team, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2026
The finale features four contestants competing on an American Ninja Warrior–style course, and the other 116 competitors lined up behind them in patriotic jerseys.

— Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of contestant

Noun

Some of us assist in delivery rooms, some of us administer medications, some of us advocate for our patients to insurance companies to make sure lifesaving is covered.

— Nancy Hagans, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026
Banks, the first saxophonist to receive the prestigious Avery Fisher Award, is a tireless advocate for his instrument in the classical world.

— Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of debater

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

divulge

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

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

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes