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
Zev Fima, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
Dems love the soft sell One of the great debates within the Democratic Party right now is whether the average voter wants a middle ground, or a bold progressive agenda.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Select editors put some of the hottest sleep debates to bed, once and for all.
—Marissa Martinez, NBC news, 5 Mar. 2026
Polls have closed in three states in a set of Tuesday primary elections that mark the start of the 2026 midterm cycle — and could highlight internal debates among both Democrats and Republicans over the future of their parties.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Consider how Russia exploits disasters and climate debates.
—Michael Chertoff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
The seasonal change often reignites debates about whether daylight saving time should exist at all.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Crawford nevertheless was hooked on political debates and election coverage from a young age.
—Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez, Charlotte Observer, 3 Mar. 2026
These are the technical, often unglamorous debates and policy decisions that justify the agency’s existence and the debates its appointees can have.
—Jay Caruso, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
Wolfgang Oels, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026
Springfield too often debates theory while communities experience consequences.
—Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
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
Noun
Bull-versus-bear debates usually take time to be resolved, but this is a positive development in favor of the bulls.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
Dems love the soft sell One of the great debates within the Democratic Party right now is whether the average voter wants a middle ground, or a bold progressive agenda.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Select editors put some of the hottest sleep debates to bed, once and for all.
—Marissa Martinez, NBC news, 5 Mar. 2026
Polls have closed in three states in a set of Tuesday primary elections that mark the start of the 2026 midterm cycle — and could highlight internal debates among both Democrats and Republicans over the future of their parties.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Consider how Russia exploits disasters and climate debates.
—Michael Chertoff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
The seasonal change often reignites debates about whether daylight saving time should exist at all.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Crawford nevertheless was hooked on political debates and election coverage from a young age.
—Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez, Charlotte Observer, 3 Mar. 2026
These are the technical, often unglamorous debates and policy decisions that justify the agency’s existence and the debates its appointees can have.
—Jay Caruso, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
Instead, Europe often debates sovereignty while buying dependency.
—Wolfgang Oels, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026
Springfield too often debates theory while communities experience consequences.
—Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debates
Noun
-
During deliberations, the jury asked to review the lyrics twice — including just hours before sentencing Broadnax to die.—
Jamie Landers,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The verdict after only a couple hours of deliberations followed a weeklong trial that included remarkable testimony from Merchant himself.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The strike on the girls’ school has been one of the central controversies of the war.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
-
In recent years, the game has seen another uptick in popularity—especially with younger players who in prior generations might have been the ones rolling their eyes at their elders’ gossipy game nights—and an increase in controversies.—
Kase Wickman,
Vanity Fair,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In his talks with employees, Provost frequently cites those same Chinese manufacturers as an example for the kind of agility and efficiency Renault should aspire to, said the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private.—
Albertina Torsoli,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
-
May 21 – June 20 Certain discussions could unlock a smoother day.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Animals’ risk of becoming roadkill depends on several factors, including how many vehicles are on the road, how many animals are on the road, and how animals and human drivers behave, explains Tom Langen, a professor of biology at Clarkson University, who studies animal-vehicle collisions.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
7 Mar. 2026
-
This idea was echoed by Timothy Fitzgerald, a professor of business economics at the University of Tennessee who studies the petroleum industry.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This meta podcast discusses a college student's dream of becoming a narrative podcaster.—
Janet W. Lee,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2026
-
According to a 2020 Department of Agriculture document that discusses oil and gas development of the grasslands where the trail is located, drill pads are expected to involve four to seven acres of initial disturbance, which would be reduced to an acre or less as the site is maintained.—
Alex Heard,
Outside,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the private considerations for the firing.—
Rebecca Santana,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Florida made just two minor trades, both with the Minnesota Wild — sending veteran defenseman Jeff Petry and unspecified future considerations to Minnesota for forward Vinnie Hinostroza and a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick (which could become a fifth-round pick).—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 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
-
Local breastfeeding organizations may offer home visits or phone consultations at no charge.—
Deborah Skolnik,
Parents,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Opitma Tax Relief and Anthem Tax Services both offer free initial consultations and base pricing on case complexity.—
Deane Biermeier,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debates. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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