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
Paris Barraza, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Her tenure included the COVID-19 pandemic, protests over policing and racial justice, explosive growth, contentious debates over transit and, most recently, criticism about public safety and transparency.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026
The event is the first of two gubernatorial debates co-hosted by the media outlets this spring.
—The Denver Post, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
Over the years, the condition has been noticeable in Collins’ debates and frequent public appearances.
—Patrick Whittle, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
But like other recent debates, political experts are dubious as to whether anyone was swayed.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
Pulitzer judges are asked to keep deliberations about the awards private, and debates about the awards process rarely become public.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 May 2026
Because debates, facts, and accountability cut through the packaging every single time.
—Heather Somers, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
The debates were a nod to the foundation on which Turning Point was built.
—Saige Miller, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
Lesch plays the savior’s anguished betrayer not as an intellectual equal who fiercely debates him and loses all patience with the movement.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
The Senate typically debates and passes its budget in the week before Memorial Day.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Early voting in the midterm primaries starts Monday in Georgia, and voters were given a chance to see all the Republican hopefuls on one stage at the Atlanta Press Club debates Sunday.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
The House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee will quiz McSweeney on Tuesday morning, before the whole house debates a demand by the opposition Conservative Party for Parliament’s Privileges Committee to investigate Starmer’s explanations of how Mandelson came to be appointed.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Curriculum debates crop up occasionally.
—Heather Hollingsworth, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Curriculum debates crop up occasionally.
—CBS News, 8 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
Noun
However, if recent debates are any indicators, this one could also become a showdown among the Democrat candidates calling out each other.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Her tenure included the COVID-19 pandemic, protests over policing and racial justice, explosive growth, contentious debates over transit and, most recently, criticism about public safety and transparency.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026
The event is the first of two gubernatorial debates co-hosted by the media outlets this spring.
—The Denver Post, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
Over the years, the condition has been noticeable in Collins’ debates and frequent public appearances.
—Patrick Whittle, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
But like other recent debates, political experts are dubious as to whether anyone was swayed.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
Pulitzer judges are asked to keep deliberations about the awards private, and debates about the awards process rarely become public.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 May 2026
Because debates, facts, and accountability cut through the packaging every single time.
—Heather Somers, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
The debates were a nod to the foundation on which Turning Point was built.
—Saige Miller, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
Data center debates takeover small town Texas Many state and local officials welcome the blossoming industry as an economic opportunity in small communities where revenue can be hard to come by.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
Lesch plays the savior’s anguished betrayer not as an intellectual equal who fiercely debates him and loses all patience with the movement.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
The Senate typically debates and passes its budget in the week before Memorial Day.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Early voting in the midterm primaries starts Monday in Georgia, and voters were given a chance to see all the Republican hopefuls on one stage at the Atlanta Press Club debates Sunday.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
The House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee will quiz McSweeney on Tuesday morning, before the whole house debates a demand by the opposition Conservative Party for Parliament’s Privileges Committee to investigate Starmer’s explanations of how Mandelson came to be appointed.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Curriculum debates crop up occasionally.
—Heather Hollingsworth, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Curriculum debates crop up occasionally.
—CBS News, 8 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debates
Noun
-
The jury should begin deliberations after closing arguments on Tuesday.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 May 2026
-
The jury began deliberations on Thursday morning.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Some complaints derive from the film brushing aside many of the late King of Pop’s controversies, while others criticize the factual problems of Michael’s life and career, including missing family members.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The controversies clearly didn’t stop fans from attending, as Michael smashed the all-time record for an opening for a biopic, earning $97 million at the domestic box office and $217 million globally.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Yet the time when the ocean was treated as an afterthought in climate discussions is ending.—
Natalie Sum Yue Chung,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
-
Local Republicans including unsuccessful mayoral candidate Sharon Beloin-Saavedra urged angry parents to turn out at a council meeting to complain, and there have been extensive Facebook discussions condemning the city budget.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
The 25-year-old, who studies fashion at Los Angeles Trade Technical College, now sits in an immigration detention facility in Texas, alongside her 47-year-old mother.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
Howell, who studies Arab American history, pointed to Qahwah House in Dearborn, Michigan, as being responsible for kickstarting the rise of these types of coffee shops.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
This article discusses suicide and suicidal ideation.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
-
This story discusses suicide and mental health.—
Tina Eves,
SPIN,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
That stance could be partly down to domestic political considerations, Ciolan said.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
-
If a board chooses to install monitoring cameras, what considerations might be considered?—
Kelly G. Richardson,
Oc Register,
1 May 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
-
Medical consultations will begin with a comprehensive evaluation of data collected by the device and, when available, blood work and medical history, the company said in its release.—
Brandon Gomez,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
-
For a more hands-on wellness experience, Zero George partners with Longevity Club, which offers individualized health consultations, Pilates, yoga, personal training, small group fitness classes, and holistic care, designed to support balance, resilience, and overall vitality.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debates. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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