Synonyms of debates

debates 1 of 2

noun

plural of debate

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

• deliberations
• considerations
• studies
• thoughts
• accounts
• reflections
• contemplations
• advisements
• ruminations
• cogitations
• meditations
• hesitations
• introspections
• indecisions
• premeditations

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• short shrifts

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

• controversies
• disputations
• disputes
• disagreements
• differences
• contestations
• contentions
• firestorms
• dissensions
• difficulties
• arguments
• clashes
• conflictions
• conflicts
• nonconcurrences
• quarrels
• dissensuses
• fights
• discords
• dissonances
• struggles
• collisions
• altercations
• misunderstandings
• strifes
• bickers
• divarications
• divisions
• combats
• disaccords
• fallings-out
• kickups
• set-tos

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agreements
• consensuses
• harmonies
• accords
• acceptances
• compliances
• unanimities
• concords
• peaces

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

• discussions
• consultations
• talks
• conversations
• consults
• conferences
• dialogues
• deliberations
• arguments
• meetings
• argumentations
• colloquies
• confabulations
• confabs
• palavers
• parleys
• seminars
• forums
• counsel
• councils
• back-and-forths
• consultancies
• symposia
• chats
• roundtables
• negotiations
• discourses
• give-and-takes
• argy-bargies
• chat rooms
• bull sessions
• skull sessions
• disquisitions
• talkathons
• raps
• words
• pourparlers

debates

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of debate

1

as in studies

to give serious and careful thought to

still debating what to do

Synonyms & Similar Words

• studies
• questions
• ponders
• contemplates
• entertains
• considers
• eyes
• weighs
• reviews
• explores
• analyzes
• looks at
• deliberates
• thinks (about or over)
• ruminates
• mulls (over)
• cogitates
• wrestles (with)
• revolves
• meditates
• pores (over)
• chews on
• perpends
• chews over
• reflects (on or upon)
• digests
• turns
• beats one's brains out (about)
• reminisces
• cudgels one's brains (about)
• kicks around
• reasons
• muses (upon)
• speculates (about)
• concludes
• believes
• dwells (on or upon)
• fixates (on or upon)
• broods (about or over)
• frets (about or over)
• obsesses (about or over)
• opines
• second-guesses
• drinks (in)
• conceives
• absorbs
• assimilates

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignores
• disregards
• overlooks
• rejects
• slights
• dismisses
• pooh-poohs

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

• discusses
• argues
• disputes
• reviews
• canvasses
• talks over
• moots
• bandies
• agitates
• bats (around or back and forth)
• hashes (over or out)
• raises
• speaks (about)
• talks (about)
• considers
• stirs up
• talks out
• introduces
• propounds
• weighs
• broaches
• hammers out
• deliberates
• wrestles (with)
• thrashes (out)
• forges
• chews over

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of debates

Noun

Bristol education officials have appointed a new principal of the city’s Bristol Central High School after weeks of contentious meetings and debates on the replacement process. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026

Employees today are operating through a constant lens of disruption from artificial intelligence, to return-to-office debates, to shifting expectations around culture and leadership. — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

The region’s early adopters Nationally, these debates aren’t new. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026

But these active, sensitive, and polarizing debates are also at risk of being used as a kind of Trojan horse to usher in different kinds of sweeping changes and rewritings. — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026

The decisions come at a moment when long-standing debates over race and identity have turned toward immigration, increasing racial diversity and the fairness of policies meant to prevent and redress discrimination. — ABC News, 2 July 2026

Still, Republican lawmakers in Florida and Washington have repeatedly cited Tren de Aragua as evidence of the security risks posed by weak border enforcement, making the gang a central talking point in broader immigration debates. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026

The city of Lee’s Summit has planned for some uncertainty in property tax funding levels going forward as debates over the credits continue, Dunning said. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026

But these programs — known as home- and community-based services (or HCBS) — are under growing pressure from looming federal cuts, shrinking state budgets and heated political debates. — Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 30 June 2026

Verb

While Washington debates another extension, its rivals are designing the next generation of commercial ties with Africa. — Daniele Nyirandutiye, semafor.com, 6 July 2026

While the country debates its own past, Stan Franklin was at the memorial thinking about its future. — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 2 July 2026

While America debates one member of Congress, millions of employees are quietly asking themselves a much more personal question. — Brian Castrucci, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

As Congress debates the transportation bill, Oklahoma’s future may depend on more than roads. — Stephen Martin, Oklahoma Watch, 28 June 2026

As Silicon Valley debates whether AI will replace millions of office workers, one of the executives building the technology’s underlying infrastructure says Gen Z shouldn’t buy into the apocalyptic job displacement predictions. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 June 2026

But also debates within the Labour Party, the state of the polls, the development of public opinion, and the success or otherwise of the government in generating growth by other means. — Anand Menon, Time, 13 June 2026

The big story While Hollywood continues to work out how best to use AI and debates its effect on jobs, filmmakers in India — the world’s most prolific movie production industry — have taken the next step. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 11 June 2026

Burt Jones debates an empty podium, while Rick Jackson holds a rally in Kennesaw. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 2 June 2026