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

Wilson points to emerging debates around the country about mid-century modern homes — new enough in the 1970s, but now eligible for historic designations. — Mark Dee july 24, Idaho Statesman, 24 July 2026

While proponents highlight their potential for companionship, addressing issues like loneliness, this technology sparks profound ethical debates. — Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Warning, this activity may inspire lively debates or sudden frustrations at filmmakers. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 22 July 2026

Legacy debates are topics that ProCon no longer updates for various reasons, including a lack of reader interest or a shift in the debate topic. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 July 2026

As always, feel free to jump into the comments for questions, more context, debates, or to talk cartoons and video games like usual. — Jake Ciely, New York Times, 20 July 2026

But in later debates, the two Republicans were more likely to take aim at the Democrats on stage than each other. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026

In Nolan’s film, people refer to the gods, but there are no divine debates on Olympus, and, indeed, the only member of the classical Greek pantheon who actually appears is Athena (Zendaya), watching over the action intermittently. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 July 2026

The same legal disputes are likely to soon start up again, as debates over the Antiquities Act continue. — Story Hinckley, Christian Science Monitor, 15 July 2026

Verb

The post lands as Washington debates whether to restrict Chinese open-weight models like Moonshot AI’s Kimi K3, which was released July 16 and ranks among the most capable models anywhere. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 July 2026

Weighty debates about what constitutes the minimum could readily waylay the AI legislative endeavor. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

However, Ryan McCormick, co-founder of Goldman McCormick PR, told Fox News Digital that debates over historical accuracy are unlikely to deter most moviegoers. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2026

Paxton’s campaign declined to elaborate on which debates Paxton plans to participate in and whether they’ll be televised. — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026

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

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