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
Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
Just 20 votes are needed to form a majority against him, and the upcoming budget debates will also be crucial and tense.
—Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Dímelo King, celebrated for bridging music and digital storytelling in Colombia, brings a bold and controversy-ready approach, with episodes featuring artists such as Akapellah sparking debates on the authenticity of rap.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
Staff continue producing content from the Phoenix headquarters, while a 150-hour archive of Kirk’s debates is being prepared for release.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
White House debates invoking Insurrection Act The White House is considering invoking the Insurrection Act as officials ramp up federal law enforcement action in US cities, Vice President JD Vance said.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2025
In many of his campus debates, Kirk urged students to adopt a Christian lifestyle, to marry young, have children, and prioritize family.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2025
In that role actor Robert Foran both runs and moderates the debates.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
The series arrives at a moment when questions of identity and inclusion continue to ripple through American institutions, including the military, where debates over who gets to serve openly have once again surfaced.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Jay Stahl, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
In a third scene, the group debates what to do.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 23 Sep. 2025
The world often debates climate change in the language of science and economics.
—Feleti Penitala Teo, Time, 22 Sep. 2025
Al-Shaibani met with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle as Congress debates whether to repeal comprehensive sanctions on Syria, levied under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 18 Sep. 2025
As the Fed debates its next move, remember that Warren Buffett isn’t trying to guess tomorrow’s stock chart.
—Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
In the second episode, which premiered on August 6, Cartman imitates Kirk with a podcast and debates college students.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
In another book, Miriam Toews’s novel Women Talking, which is based on a true story, a group of Mennonite women debates whether to flee their isolated community—or stay and fight—after a group of men are caught drugging and raping them.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
Alcaraz and Sinner are early enough in their careers that debates around their legacies feel silly.
—Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
And look for dozens of episodes featuring genre-spanning discussions, debates, and explainers with Rolling Stone’s critics and reporters.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
Just 20 votes are needed to form a majority against him, and the upcoming budget debates will also be crucial and tense.
—Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Dímelo King, celebrated for bridging music and digital storytelling in Colombia, brings a bold and controversy-ready approach, with episodes featuring artists such as Akapellah sparking debates on the authenticity of rap.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
Staff continue producing content from the Phoenix headquarters, while a 150-hour archive of Kirk’s debates is being prepared for release.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
White House debates invoking Insurrection Act The White House is considering invoking the Insurrection Act as officials ramp up federal law enforcement action in US cities, Vice President JD Vance said.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2025
In many of his campus debates, Kirk urged students to adopt a Christian lifestyle, to marry young, have children, and prioritize family.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2025
In that role actor Robert Foran both runs and moderates the debates.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
The series arrives at a moment when questions of identity and inclusion continue to ripple through American institutions, including the military, where debates over who gets to serve openly have once again surfaced.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
As her husband nears one year in his new job, Hines is nearing one year with a new life even as the country debates her spouse's controversial policy agenda including his beliefs about vaccines.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
In a third scene, the group debates what to do.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 23 Sep. 2025
The world often debates climate change in the language of science and economics.
—Feleti Penitala Teo, Time, 22 Sep. 2025
Al-Shaibani met with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle as Congress debates whether to repeal comprehensive sanctions on Syria, levied under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 18 Sep. 2025
As the Fed debates its next move, remember that Warren Buffett isn’t trying to guess tomorrow’s stock chart.
—Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
In the second episode, which premiered on August 6, Cartman imitates Kirk with a podcast and debates college students.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
In another book, Miriam Toews’s novel Women Talking, which is based on a true story, a group of Mennonite women debates whether to flee their isolated community—or stay and fight—after a group of men are caught drugging and raping them.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
Alcaraz and Sinner are early enough in their careers that debates around their legacies feel silly.
—Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debates
Noun
-
His conviction was overturned in 2024 after an appeals court determined a juror had been improperly dismissed during deliberations.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The other said deliberations were contentious, but respectful.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Continue reading … RADIO SILENCE – Spanberger’s muted response to dual controversies shapes narrative in final stretch of race.—
,
FOXNews.com,
13 Oct. 2025
-
And these controversies reliably delay the end of a federal court’s longstanding oversight of the department.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
When jurors came forward with concerns, Farber was strict about respecting the sanctity of deliberations and cautioned them not to discuss the content or tenor of jury room discussions, transcripts show.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Those are, the Lewis family insists, not active discussions right now.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
About 23 million people with regular Medicare have this stand-alone coverage, according to the nonprofit KFF, which studies health care.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Oct. 2025
-
But Kraus, who studies gambling disorders, attributes the growing popularity of parlays less to the users, and more to the sportsbooks.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Below, during a recent conversation with THR, McGraw also discusses doing most of her Black Phone 2 stunts, as well as her dream to play another Gwen, Spider-Gwen, in a live-action film.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
-
In the new episode of Rolling Stone Music Now, Was talks about his new album, and then discusses his long journey through the music business, going deep on Dylan, the Stones, and much, much more.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There are other considerations linked to the mission to improve the atmosphere that also should be in the mix.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
-
But any potential changes must go through periods of stakeholder feedback and rulemaking considerations, the state energy commission said, so nothing will happen in the near term.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
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
-
In February alone, the center reported more than 2,500 medical consultations.—
NPR,
NPR,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Currently in development, the project will incorporate materials from the Peace Foundation’s archives alongside expert consultations and research into Chinese market dynamics and audience preferences.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debates. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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