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

With the midterms approaching, certain primaries have reflected broader debates about whether the Party might consider cursing more, capitalizing tweets, going Dark Woke. —Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026

The centrist frequently votes for Democratic amendments during legislative debates but, in the end, often supports the final Republican bill. —Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 23 Apr. 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, 23 Apr. 2026

Seatrium doesn’t make container ships, and so avoids the most prominent debates over shipbuilding. —Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026

Those debates are only going to increase this upcoming season, as the playoff field remains locked at 12. —Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026

Congress should refuse, and the reason has nothing to do with traditional debates about surveillance. —Patrick Eddington, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026

Californians have multiple chances to tune into debates in the race for California's next governor. —Paris Barraza, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

The House has a modest committee schedule, with more legislation likely set for debates in the full chamber. —Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026

Verb

Curriculum debates crop up occasionally. —Heather Hollingsworth, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026

Curriculum debates crop up occasionally. —CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026

Curriculum debates crop up occasionally. —ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026

There is something deeply unsettling about watching human suffering unfold while the rest of the world debates it like a policy problem. —Maliha Rahman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2026

At least 80% of voters support photo ID, polling that Republicans have repeatedly pointed to as the Senate debates the SAVE America Act, an election bill that Democrats claim is an attempt at voter suppression. —David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026

Dallas is $5 million behind on sales tax revenue, adding pressure as the city debates whether to repair or relocate its nearly 50-year-old City Hall. —Everton Bailey Jr, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026

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