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
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026
Research grounded in social identity theory suggests that people frequently incorporate national attachment into their personal identity, which helps explain why debates about patriotism can feel deeply emotional rather than purely intellectual.
—Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Woody either having or not having a last name has fascinated fans for years, inspiring conversations and debates in comment sections, in message forums, and on fan sites.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 June 2026
For voting rights groups, however, the immediate challenge extends beyond courtroom fights and legislative debates.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 17 June 2026
Finally, Hannah Vanbiber drops by to look at the science behind the tournament’s hot-pink boot trend and the team ranking debates.
—The Athletic, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Just how that wealth spreads and the consequences of the technology have rapidly evolved into fundamental debates about how America itself is structured.
—ABC News, 16 June 2026
By visualizing that dark interior, images of fetuses in the womb, getting ready to be born, assumed a critical place in these debates.
—Literary Hub, 16 June 2026
The issue has echoed migration debates across Europe.
—Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
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
Burt Jones debates an empty podium, while Rick Jackson holds a rally in Kennesaw.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 2 June 2026
That time was just a fraction of the 14 hours and 41 minutes Sampson spoke during Senate debates this session — about 18% of the total time the legislative body spent in debate, according to a CT Mirror analysis that employed artificial intelligence.
—Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2026
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
Noun
Lawmakers in Haiti, for example, have been known to pause parliamentary debates to watch Brazil play.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026
Research grounded in social identity theory suggests that people frequently incorporate national attachment into their personal identity, which helps explain why debates about patriotism can feel deeply emotional rather than purely intellectual.
—Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Woody either having or not having a last name has fascinated fans for years, inspiring conversations and debates in comment sections, in message forums, and on fan sites.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 June 2026
For voting rights groups, however, the immediate challenge extends beyond courtroom fights and legislative debates.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 17 June 2026
Finally, Hannah Vanbiber drops by to look at the science behind the tournament’s hot-pink boot trend and the team ranking debates.
—The Athletic, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Just how that wealth spreads and the consequences of the technology have rapidly evolved into fundamental debates about how America itself is structured.
—ABC News, 16 June 2026
By visualizing that dark interior, images of fetuses in the womb, getting ready to be born, assumed a critical place in these debates.
—Literary Hub, 16 June 2026
The issue has echoed migration debates across Europe.
—Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
Verb
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
Burt Jones debates an empty podium, while Rick Jackson holds a rally in Kennesaw.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 2 June 2026
That time was just a fraction of the 14 hours and 41 minutes Sampson spoke during Senate debates this session — about 18% of the total time the legislative body spent in debate, according to a CT Mirror analysis that employed artificial intelligence.
—Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debates
Noun
-
Commissioners have heard presentations from county officials and deliberations will continue through Wednesday, June 17, according to Tripple’s presentation.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
15 June 2026
-
She was marginalized and not included in the deliberations to attack Venezuela or Iran.—
Arthur House,
Hartford Courant,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
But many other controversies did.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
16 June 2026
-
The unanimous vote stood in stark contrast to many of the county’s recent controversies, including the hiring and subsequent firing of Newton, whose short tenure became mired in questions surrounding an undisclosed past business relationship with then-Chair Chris Measmer.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
If discussions drift, gently redirect toward next actions and timelines, since specific promises turn goodwill into practical progress.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2026
-
Leaders of several other countries — including India, Kenya and Ukraine — were expected to join for discussions.—
Jamey Keaten,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
The 21-year-old Cornell University student, who studies finance and computer science and trades stocks on the side, once invested in aircraft-connectivity companies that many investors believed would be insulated from competition.—
Sean Conlon,Yun Li,
CNBC,
12 June 2026
-
It is still practiced today, with its strongest followings in parts of Asia, Africa and Canada, according to Susan Palmer, a sociologist who studies new religious movements at Concordia University in Montreal.—
Krysta Fauria,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Here, Murai discusses the inspirations and references that appear throughout Widow’s Bay, creating the dynamic of the show, and how the finale was put together.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
18 June 2026
-
David discusses the predicament that Vance finds himself in as the administration’s most vocal Iran War skeptic.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Cole also joined for practical considerations.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
-
Bathroom etiquette and safety considerations Crews would rather passengers stay seated than crowd into the aisle, and much of what looks like strict bathroom etiquette is really about safety.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
13 June 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
-
On Friday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said consultations through mediators were ongoing regarding the next phase of negotiations to draft a final agreement.—
Erin Cunningham,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Contracting with a reputable Medicare brokerage to offer one-on-one consultations to your retiring employees costs your company nothing and delivers significant value.—
Sylvia Gordon,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debates. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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