debaters

noun

plural of debater
as in defendants
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 debaters Habitual debaters often blur these distinctions. — Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 27 May 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 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 The fraud debaters offer many preferred litmus tests. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 14 Dec. 2025 The college boys would gather around a charpoy set in front of the food stall, playing for cups of tea or plates of biscuits, contemplating the next move with the seriousness of parliamentary debaters, discussing strategy. — Daniyal Mueenuddin, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025 Her debaters warned of a slippery slope. — Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debaters
  1. defendants
  2. plaintiffs
  3. fighters
  4. contestants
  5. advocates
  6. brawlers
Noun
  • In addition to profiting from prostitution, the defendants collected payments on the victims’ inflated smuggling debts.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • Trump later pardoned or commuted the sentences of virtually all defendants involved in the riot.
    — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 16 July 2026
Definition of defendants
Noun
  • Without the air conditioning, security and electricity of the motel rooms, the plaintiffs are in danger, the suit alleges.
    — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
  • The plaintiffs’ lawyers said in a statement that the lawsuit asks for one thing — preserving the status quo to keep the workers employed pending arbitration.
    — Barbara Ortutay, Fortune, 15 July 2026
Definition of plaintiffs
Noun
  • An Iranian missile and drone attack has killed nine fighters of an Iranian-Kurdish group based in neighboring Iraq, according to an official from the group.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • What does Texas congressman Brandon Gill think of one of the UFC fighters at the White House calling Michelle Obama a man?
    — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 16 July 2026
Definition of fighters
Noun
  • Of those 10 contestants, five will be eliminated at the end of this episode.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • The contestants had 50 minutes to make a dessert of their choice.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
Definition of contestants
Noun
  • Canada were the biggest advocates, with 27 box-throws attempted.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Given the sensitivity of the case, and how its outcome will likely impact Francis’ legacy, any news about the Rupnik trial has been closely followed by victims and their advocates.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
Definition of advocates
Noun
  • The episodes saw 12 brawlers face off in teams led by Flay, Maneet Chauhan and Antonia Lofaso, aiming to win over judges Williamson, Carson Kressley and Rodney Scott.
    — Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Displacing the ’90s boom bap and aughts brawlers of her last album is a streak of assiduous ’80s R&B exercises that foreground her gains as a vocalist more often than her gobstopping wordplay as a rapper.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Definition of brawlers

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debaters
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Cite this Entry

“Debaters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debaters. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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