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 Fusch, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
The drama ran on the CW network from 2007 to 2012 and—also not hyperbole—defined a generation while still inspiring spirited debates and yearly rewatches by both devoted fans and curious newcomers.
—María Mérida, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2025
The controversy has sparked broader debates about creative rights and AI’s role in Indian cinema.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
Following their breakup, reports swirled that Renner was receiving upwards of $200,000 per month in child support — an astronomical figure that fueled debates across social media and sports media circles alike.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 1 Oct. 2025
The debates will often put him up against college women, who are often used as little more than window dressing to be both leered and laughed at, as opposed to, say, a gender-studies professor or career pundit.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025
For over a century, the United States has coercively maintained the base against the wishes of the Cuban government, an arrangement prompting political and legal debates surrounding the territory’s ambiguous sovereignty.
—Miriam Pensack, The Dial, 30 Sep. 2025
There are also debates about whether the Golden Dome should include allied systems and how much access artificial intelligence should have to sensitive information.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2025
And look for dozens of episodes featuring genre-spanning discussions, debates, and explainers with Rolling Stone’s critics and reporters.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
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
During such events, Kirk debates students and others about myriad of topics, some of them controversial.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 11 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
In an era when misinformation travels faster than facts and contentious debates make headlines daily, that function becomes not merely valuable but essential.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
The drama ran on the CW network from 2007 to 2012 and—also not hyperbole—defined a generation while still inspiring spirited debates and yearly rewatches by both devoted fans and curious newcomers.
—María Mérida, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2025
The controversy has sparked broader debates about creative rights and AI’s role in Indian cinema.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
Following their breakup, reports swirled that Renner was receiving upwards of $200,000 per month in child support — an astronomical figure that fueled debates across social media and sports media circles alike.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 1 Oct. 2025
The debates will often put him up against college women, who are often used as little more than window dressing to be both leered and laughed at, as opposed to, say, a gender-studies professor or career pundit.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025
For over a century, the United States has coercively maintained the base against the wishes of the Cuban government, an arrangement prompting political and legal debates surrounding the territory’s ambiguous sovereignty.
—Miriam Pensack, The Dial, 30 Sep. 2025
There are also debates about whether the Golden Dome should include allied systems and how much access artificial intelligence should have to sensitive information.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2025
And look for dozens of episodes featuring genre-spanning discussions, debates, and explainers with Rolling Stone’s critics and reporters.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
During such events, Kirk debates students and others about myriad of topics, some of them controversial.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 11 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
-
The $470 million figure emerged during city council deliberations and was later confirmed by the foundation in its 2020 annual report.—
Christine Valora,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The decision came during an executive session at a meeting in May 2023, with no details of the deliberations, state records show.—
Gretchen Morgenson,
NBC news,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Will Lazarus have the stomach for uncomfortable political speech controversies that come with running an ideological media company like MSNBC?—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The former football star played just two seasons in the NFL before his off-the-field controversies like drug use and domestic violence accusations portrayed him as a liability to teams.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Elliott says that both Weaving and Pearce gave their blessing ahead of discussions between the filmmaker and Stamp.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
28 Sep. 2025
-
With the match feeling ready to veer off the rails, European vice captain Edoardo Molinari and Mike Raby, the referee assigned to the match, were seen having lengthy discussions about how to retain order.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
According to Alison Gopnik, a developmental psychologist at UC Berkeley who also studies AI, the current debate about sentient machines revolves around this fundamental confusion.—
Webb Wright,
The Atlantic,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The movie followed Daniel Radcliffe as the titular character, chronicling his life as a young wizard who studies at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry alongside his friends, Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson).—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The trio discusses success in the Sun Belt—particularly for the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes—and how the NHL might better monetize its popularity oversees.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Sönke Gößling, PhD, (right) discusses the plans for the energy trailer with Finn Floßbach.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There are economic considerations including freight costs, the cargo transported and how quickly it’s needed, said Klaus Dodds, a geopolitical analyst and senior research fellow at RAND Europe, a research institute.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Other old-car issues, such as gremlins impacting the electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and exhaust systems, are ongoing considerations.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
3 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
-
The drones that landed in Poland were not believed to be armed, but nonetheless, spurred Warsaw to trigger Article 4 emergency consultations with NATO members.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
-
On 10 September, the Council held consultations in response to the large-scale violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debates. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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