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

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

There were also debates about how Edwards and Brown would fit together as two ISO-heavy scorers on offense. — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 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

And with Lindsey Graham, he's been an important part of some of the central debates of the day. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 14 July 2026

The incident and subsequent discourse has resurfaced contentious racial debates surrounding Clark's presence as the pre-eminent player in the WNBA. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026

Yet, its caucuses play an outsize role in filling leadership positions, forming policy platforms, and resolving debates at its national conventions. — Max Grinstein, The Washington Examiner, 13 July 2026

Bristol education officials have appointed a new principal of the city’s Bristol Central High School after weeks of contentious meetings and debates on the replacement process. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026

Verb

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

While America debates one member of Congress, millions of employees are quietly asking themselves a much more personal question. — Brian Castrucci, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

As Congress debates the transportation bill, Oklahoma’s future may depend on more than roads. — Stephen Martin, Oklahoma Watch, 28 June 2026

As Silicon Valley debates whether AI will replace millions of office workers, one of the executives building the technology’s underlying infrastructure says Gen Z shouldn’t buy into the apocalyptic job displacement predictions. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 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

The big story While Hollywood continues to work out how best to use AI and debates its effect on jobs, filmmakers in India — the world’s most prolific movie production industry — have taken the next step. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 11 June 2026