1
as in deliberations
a careful weighing of the reasons for or against something
after much debate, I decided to get the chocolate ice cream
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in controversies
variance of opinion on a matter
there was a great deal of debate over the need for cutting costs by eliminating some programs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in discussions
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue
there was no debate over the expenditures before the vote
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in studies
to give serious and careful thought to
still debating what to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discusses
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion
we debated the advantages versus the disadvantages of the proposed waterfront development
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debates
Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
As nearly half of Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s 13 member cities have sought to leave the agency this year, throwing the system’s future into limbo, questions of how people use DART and what services the system provides have swirled alongside debates over its governance and funding.
—Mel Fronczek, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Some pundits predicted he would be outclassed by his more experienced political opponents during the presidential debates.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
More broadly, the present debates reflect the resurgence of a paternalistic view in Silicon Valley that only technologists can understand and guide the use of their creations.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 17 Feb. 2026
What struck me most about the diverse individuals and perspectives at the Baker Hughes event was alignment around facts and realities that often get lost in Colorado’s debates.
—Lynn Granger, Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2026
The recent release of Emerald Fennell’s version of Emily Brontë’s 1847 classic has prompted a new wave of debates over literary fidelity, but the truth is that Wuthering Heights works no matter the context or the culture.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Curlers anticipate debates and rule changes to come, such as whether video replays should be used to assist rulings, and what penalties curlers who break the rules incur.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 16 Feb. 2026
The change often reignites debates about whether daylight saving time should exist at all.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Ashley Grams, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
The trio also debates the long-term viability of MLS’ media rights, and the economic opportunity if the league were to dedicate more resources to selling players.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 17 Feb. 2026
While social media debates whether their name is pronounced bet-tuh or bay-tuh, veterinarians tend to be more concerned with how they’re cared for than how they’re named.
—Sierra Leone Starks, Parents, 10 Feb. 2026
The chef debates whether to serve the cabins or the saloon first.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
As the city debates a major shift that could expand its year-round stock of shelter beds, organizations serving people experiencing homelessness remain at full capacity and a double-digit increase in demand in the region during the recent severe cold weather is likely an indicator what’s to come.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026
In the recording, the council debates whether there would be any benefits since Prohaska had already resigned.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2026
The crypto firm’s move comes as California debates a ballot measure that would tax billionaires 5% on their total wealth for healthcare funding.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
This lesson matters today as the international community debates the future of Venezuela.
—Rick Singh, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
French President Emmanuel Macron, representing one of only two states in Europe (the other being Britain) with nuclear weapons capability, is pushing for intra-European debates on reinforcing nuclear deterrence — with or without the United States.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
As nearly half of Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s 13 member cities have sought to leave the agency this year, throwing the system’s future into limbo, questions of how people use DART and what services the system provides have swirled alongside debates over its governance and funding.
—Mel Fronczek, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Some pundits predicted he would be outclassed by his more experienced political opponents during the presidential debates.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
More broadly, the present debates reflect the resurgence of a paternalistic view in Silicon Valley that only technologists can understand and guide the use of their creations.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 17 Feb. 2026
What struck me most about the diverse individuals and perspectives at the Baker Hughes event was alignment around facts and realities that often get lost in Colorado’s debates.
—Lynn Granger, Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2026
The recent release of Emerald Fennell’s version of Emily Brontë’s 1847 classic has prompted a new wave of debates over literary fidelity, but the truth is that Wuthering Heights works no matter the context or the culture.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Curlers anticipate debates and rule changes to come, such as whether video replays should be used to assist rulings, and what penalties curlers who break the rules incur.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 16 Feb. 2026
The change often reignites debates about whether daylight saving time should exist at all.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
As of Tuesday, city staff confirmed both hotels have active liquor licenses and are able to serve alcohol as the council debates the renewal.
—Ashley Grams, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
The trio also debates the long-term viability of MLS’ media rights, and the economic opportunity if the league were to dedicate more resources to selling players.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 17 Feb. 2026
While social media debates whether their name is pronounced bet-tuh or bay-tuh, veterinarians tend to be more concerned with how they’re cared for than how they’re named.
—Sierra Leone Starks, Parents, 10 Feb. 2026
The chef debates whether to serve the cabins or the saloon first.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
As the city debates a major shift that could expand its year-round stock of shelter beds, organizations serving people experiencing homelessness remain at full capacity and a double-digit increase in demand in the region during the recent severe cold weather is likely an indicator what’s to come.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026
In the recording, the council debates whether there would be any benefits since Prohaska had already resigned.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2026
The crypto firm’s move comes as California debates a ballot measure that would tax billionaires 5% on their total wealth for healthcare funding.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
This lesson matters today as the international community debates the future of Venezuela.
—Rick Singh, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debates
Noun
-
The Epstein files suggest that the introduction of the bonus tax was far from the only occasion on which Mandelson updated Epstein on internal government deliberations or sent him confidential information.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Judges overseeing the California trial have instructed jurors not to alter their social media habits during deliberations, emphasizing that liability must be decided independently for each company involved.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Florida House unanimously passed a bipartisan bill Tuesday that would shed more light on state conservation decisions after a series of recent public lands controversies gave little room for public input.—
Max Chesnes Herald,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Plus, shifts in attitude toward police are not always about single acts but about the weight of national controversies placed on their shoulders, Cross pointed out.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The event saw several European leaders and policymakers reiterate the need for greater defense spending to accelerate the continent's strategic autonomy, with discussions of a common nuclear shield.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Progress appeared to be very little, as Iran has sought to limit the discussions to solely its nuclear program.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
American attitudes toward taking time off are different from the ones in much of Europe, where free time and rest are prioritized, said Kira Schrabram, an assistant professor of management at the University of Washington’s business school who studies meaningful and sustainable work.—
Colleen Newvine,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
According to University of Toronto psychologist Victoria Oldemburgo de Mello, who studies how technology shapes behavior and society, the study authors impressively combined tight control with a real-world setting.—
Simon Makin,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Beyond her physical transformation, Sarah also discusses her strategy for red carpet dressing, telling the story behind her Chanel feather dress and pants at the show’s premiere.—
Chelsea Daniel,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
-
This story discusses events that might be disturbing to some readers.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The analysis compared 100 of the nation’s largest cities based on budget considerations, available activities, gift accessibility and weather forecasts.—
Katey Psencik,
Austin American Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
-
As for what-next suggestions, the Canadian team offers a set of considerations.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
According to him, advances in machine learning have yanked questions once trapped inside theological/philosophical disputations into corporate board packs.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
After consultations with superiors, the jail superintendent has sent for a barber, who shaves the man gently, making sure to clear the fuzz from his earlobes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
-
No date has been set for follow-up consultations.—
Jennifer Jacobs,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debates. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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