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
Adam Beam, AJC.com, 28 May 2026
Climate change, sea-level rise, extinction, debates over water and growth, and increasing competition for scarce natural resources are the future in Florida.
—Joe Murphy, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026
The Detroit Chamber of Commerce organizes the conference each year, an event that features keynote speakers, panel discussions and debates.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Reclaiming the Job Counselor The current Congressional debates on how workforce programs should be structured have focused on increasing funds for training and in so doing reducing investment in job counseling.
—Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Denver voters themselves recently showed that these debates are more complicated than activists often suggest.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 27 May 2026
My approach is less about ideological debates and more about successful implementation.
—Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
As tensions rise between the United States and China over trade, technology, Taiwan and military influence, the relationship between the world’s two largest economies is increasingly shaping global politics and national security debates.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 15 May 2026
This year’s debates have done little to catapult anyone to the top, and tonight was more of the same.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2026
Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026
Finally, leaders should pay attention to who speaks less when one person debates more.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
When Nature Doesn’t Wait While the museum world debates loans and returns, a more immediate threat is accelerating.
—Annika Erikson, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2026
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
Noun
The Atlanta Press Club debates, scheduled for Sunday and Monday, will be livestreamed.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 28 May 2026
Climate change, sea-level rise, extinction, debates over water and growth, and increasing competition for scarce natural resources are the future in Florida.
—Joe Murphy, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026
The Detroit Chamber of Commerce organizes the conference each year, an event that features keynote speakers, panel discussions and debates.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Reclaiming the Job Counselor The current Congressional debates on how workforce programs should be structured have focused on increasing funds for training and in so doing reducing investment in job counseling.
—Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Denver voters themselves recently showed that these debates are more complicated than activists often suggest.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 27 May 2026
My approach is less about ideological debates and more about successful implementation.
—Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
As tensions rise between the United States and China over trade, technology, Taiwan and military influence, the relationship between the world’s two largest economies is increasingly shaping global politics and national security debates.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 15 May 2026
This year’s debates have done little to catapult anyone to the top, and tonight was more of the same.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2026
Verb
As the podcast industry debates the definition of a podcast and wades through unclear ad measurement tools, a secret industrywide taskforce has been meeting to combat the problem.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026
Finally, leaders should pay attention to who speaks less when one person debates more.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
When Nature Doesn’t Wait While the museum world debates loans and returns, a more immediate threat is accelerating.
—Annika Erikson, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debates
Noun
-
But in the end, deliberations would only last about three hours.—
Natalie Morales,
CBS News,
24 May 2026
-
The order would have established a framework for the government to vet the national security risks of the most advanced AI systems before their public release, according to a person familiar with the White House’s deliberations with the tech industry but not authorized to speak about them publicly.—
Collin Binkley,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
The criticism of this process is reminiscent of more momentous controversies in the traditional financial world, where small groups of traders had the power to swing much bigger markets.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
26 May 2026
-
Cornyn is also backed by the campaign arm of Senate Republicans and many of his Senate colleagues have stood by his side despite the president's endorsement, citing their belief that Paxton’s past controversies could put this safe Republican seat at risk.—
Diana Paulsen,
ABC News,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Either way, discussions at home about repairs and family matters will be lively!—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
23 May 2026
-
Last year’s event included round-table discussions between students and 30 local officials, including mayors and school superintendents.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Rafiqul Islam Rana, an assistant professor of retailing at the University of South Carolina who studies the gap between brand commitments and factory floor realities, the report indicates a deeper problem in apparel sourcing.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
22 May 2026
-
At the time, lawmakers had hoped that ethanol would have a smaller climate effect than gasoline, says Holly Gibbs, a geographer at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, who studies land use.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
This entry discusses theories of press–government relations, the functions of the state in relation to the press, and characterizations of the press’s role in relation to government.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
26 May 2026
-
The group — which the neighbors call a pod and numbers about 10 — often discusses their older years at the weekly dinners that started in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which devastated the Asheville area in September 2024.—
Jessica Blough,
CNN Money,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Planning considerations in the current environment A strong financial plan anticipates how higher costs affect your life.—
Bruce Helmer,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2026
-
After years of activity, the club closed in 1967 due to financial considerations and availability of other options.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 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
-
The target is settling lower after consultations with advisers and investors, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information isn’t public.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
Kansas City’s plan was the product of three years of preparations, research and consultations from 118 residents and human rights organizations and business support professionals, according to KC2026.—
Sofi Zeman,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debates. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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