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

The rules come after years of delay and fractious debates over affordability, landscaping and fire risk. — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026

While Rahma has learned how to steer his subway debates towards viral moments, the editing process has required the team to hone a knack for finding the story within otherwise chaotic conversations. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026

An obligation to voters There’s a lot of virtue signaling that surrounds the notion of candidate debates. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

However, as Britain polarized politically around issues such as Brexit and Israel-Hamas War, Lineker often found himself at the center of heated debates as right-wing news outlets dubbed him as liberal left-winger. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026

The debates over responsibility, funding, international relations and jurisdiction have overshadowed the urgent need to treat the issue as a public health and environmental emergency. — Samhita M Ilango, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

An exhibit at the park 100 miles from Charlotte explains events that led up to the birth of our nation, including policy debates, slavery, women and conflict with the Cherokee Indians. — Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2026

Many of Arizona's top congressional candidates will skip debates. — Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Lawsuits, bureaucratic battles, boisterously divisive council arguments and vicious social media debates have been part of Bloomfield life for years, and intensified during Danielle Wong’s contentious time as mayor. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026

Verb

The download numbers are a reminder that even as Washington restricts chip exports and debates AI export controls, Chinese open models are winning developer mindshare globally. — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026

While everyone else debates the AI market with leaderboards and analyst estimates, Stripe would be able to watch it in real time. — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Nvidia is heading up a new alliance of tech industry giants focused on keeping open-source AI models secure as Washington debates how and whether to restrict them. — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 27 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 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