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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of debates
Ben Jones, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
Mindful debates can nourish open communication.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026
Minneapolis is once again the focus of debates about violence involving law enforcement after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother, in her car.
—Ben Jones, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026
Its past reflects our present, since the debates over tariffs and government intervention, immigration and civil rights, and the corporatization of family businesses are already century-old concerns for Stock Show attendees.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
The Overlap content spans sports including football, rugby and cricket and is home to fan debates, exclusive interviews and the Stick to Football series.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
Since the advent of the transfer portal and the rise of name, image and likeness (NIL), there have been countless debates about how to create and adjust a system to establish guardrails when necessary.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Heated debates are occurring about the soul of the Republican Party and the direction of the conservative movement, many of which surfaced in the days leading up to the election.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025
Cities like Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tucson could lose more than 20% of their Colorado River water, triggering public debates in council chambers and municipal offices over how to respond, what to sacrifice and what to prioritize.
—Austin Corona, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Rick Singh, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
History debates The earlier 1870s period, when Levis Strauss and Jacob Davis patented the rivet, is an era in denim history which has many holes.
—Mohsin Sajid, Sourcing Journal, 16 Dec. 2025
As the nation debates health care affordability in the wake of a federal government shutdown over Affordable Care Act health insurance costs and subsidies, West Health officials said the survey quantifies Americans worries and struggles to pay for health care.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
As Congress debates whether to force the release of DOJ’s files, the Miami Herald has reviewed many of the documents that are part of a trove of communications held by Epstein’s estate.
—Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 14 Nov. 2025
And now, many financial advisors are watching as Congress debates Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies amid the government shutdown.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025
Hashmi, who flipped a suburban Richmond seat in 2019 to become the first Muslim woman elected to the Virginia Senate, has not committed to any lieutenant governor debates this cycle.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 16 Oct. 2025
In a third scene, the group debates what to do.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 23 Sep. 2025
The world often debates climate change in the language of science and economics.
—Feleti Penitala Teo, Time, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
Minneapolis is once again the focus of debates about violence involving law enforcement after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother, in her car.
—Ben Jones, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
Mindful debates can nourish open communication.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026
Minneapolis is once again the focus of debates about violence involving law enforcement after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother, in her car.
—Ben Jones, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026
Its past reflects our present, since the debates over tariffs and government intervention, immigration and civil rights, and the corporatization of family businesses are already century-old concerns for Stock Show attendees.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
The Overlap content spans sports including football, rugby and cricket and is home to fan debates, exclusive interviews and the Stick to Football series.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
Since the advent of the transfer portal and the rise of name, image and likeness (NIL), there have been countless debates about how to create and adjust a system to establish guardrails when necessary.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Heated debates are occurring about the soul of the Republican Party and the direction of the conservative movement, many of which surfaced in the days leading up to the election.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025
Cities like Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tucson could lose more than 20% of their Colorado River water, triggering public debates in council chambers and municipal offices over how to respond, what to sacrifice and what to prioritize.
—Austin Corona, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
This lesson matters today as the international community debates the future of Venezuela.
—Rick Singh, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
History debates The earlier 1870s period, when Levis Strauss and Jacob Davis patented the rivet, is an era in denim history which has many holes.
—Mohsin Sajid, Sourcing Journal, 16 Dec. 2025
As the nation debates health care affordability in the wake of a federal government shutdown over Affordable Care Act health insurance costs and subsidies, West Health officials said the survey quantifies Americans worries and struggles to pay for health care.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
As Congress debates whether to force the release of DOJ’s files, the Miami Herald has reviewed many of the documents that are part of a trove of communications held by Epstein’s estate.
—Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 14 Nov. 2025
And now, many financial advisors are watching as Congress debates Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies amid the government shutdown.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025
Hashmi, who flipped a suburban Richmond seat in 2019 to become the first Muslim woman elected to the Virginia Senate, has not committed to any lieutenant governor debates this cycle.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 16 Oct. 2025
In a third scene, the group debates what to do.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 23 Sep. 2025
The world often debates climate change in the language of science and economics.
—Feleti Penitala Teo, Time, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debates
Noun
-
Was the trader just lucky or privy to classified government deliberations?—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
5 Jan. 2026
-
This story delves into the power and water demands of data centers and the deliberations of policymakers about this rising industry.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ – Test yourself on culinary controversies and presidential proclamations.—
,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Minnesota has been under scrutiny in recent weeks over yearslong investigations and controversies about alleged fraud in child-care centers.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
According to two people familiar with the discussions, earlier this year, Döpfner talked to Bari Weiss about buying her opinion site, The Free Press.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Katz, Mamdani’s campaign manager, said there were private discussions between the two.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Geoffrey Propheter, a professor at the University of Colorado-Denver who studies sports and urban affairs, said the tensions between direct and representative democracy can create conflict for public officials who are weighing stadium-funding decisions.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Byard studies a smartphone showing his year-old wishes for a new coach, those expressed to a reporter late last season, including disappointment that far too many missteps had been improperly dealt with.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Continue reading … PUT ON NOTICE – Trump discusses expansion of drug cartel crackdown, issues grim warning to Iran.—
,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Zhao discusses the grieving mother’s inability to let Hamnet go.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Safety considerations vary by supplement and by individual health status.—
Morgan Pearson,
Verywell Health,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Unfortunately for the newly stateless nine, MLB’s backstopping won’t include any cash considerations.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
9 Jan. 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
-
Alzugaray added that Cuba’s government should be in the midst of intense conversations and consultations with its allies, like China and Russia.—
Orlando Matos,
NBC news,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center’s nutrition consultations add to a lineup that leans toward learning and immersion.—
David Dickstein,
Oc Register,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debates. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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