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
Cat Ward, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Malcolm’s subjects are very old-school, doctrinaire, rigid Freudian psychoanalysts who get involved in impossibly obscure academic debates.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2026
The annual change also often reignites debates about whether daylight saving time should exist at all.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 28 Jan. 2026
As alliances shift and accusations fly, the series has become appointment viewing, sparking debates, theories, and side-eye across social media each week.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026
Hyperrational thought experiments, forceful debates on whether AI could be shaped for the better, an unshakable belief in technological progress—these are classic Anthropic qualities.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
According to a very dry report published in Internationale Situationniste, the Situationists’ time in Limehouse was mostly taken up with formal political debates.
—Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Taylor’s northward journeys renewed debates over recovery area boundaries last year.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Humans moved heavy stones Study co-author Professor Chris Kirkland said the research shows how modern geochemical tools can resolve debates that have lasted more than a century.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Jan. 2026
Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2026
The crypto firm’s move comes as California debates a ballot measure that would tax billionaires 5% on their total wealth for healthcare funding.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
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
Noun
Despite their central role, nonprofits are routinely treated as afterthoughts in budget debates and regulatory design.
—Cat Ward, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Malcolm’s subjects are very old-school, doctrinaire, rigid Freudian psychoanalysts who get involved in impossibly obscure academic debates.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2026
The annual change also often reignites debates about whether daylight saving time should exist at all.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 28 Jan. 2026
As alliances shift and accusations fly, the series has become appointment viewing, sparking debates, theories, and side-eye across social media each week.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026
Hyperrational thought experiments, forceful debates on whether AI could be shaped for the better, an unshakable belief in technological progress—these are classic Anthropic qualities.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
According to a very dry report published in Internationale Situationniste, the Situationists’ time in Limehouse was mostly taken up with formal political debates.
—Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Taylor’s northward journeys renewed debates over recovery area boundaries last year.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Humans moved heavy stones Study co-author Professor Chris Kirkland said the research shows how modern geochemical tools can resolve debates that have lasted more than a century.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
In the recording, the council debates whether there would be any benefits since Prohaska had already resigned.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2026
The crypto firm’s move comes as California debates a ballot measure that would tax billionaires 5% on their total wealth for healthcare funding.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debates
Noun
-
The people spoke under the condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
-
During the board’s deliberations, member Michael Provence raised the question of whether the house should get additional consideration since the number of Colonial Revival-style cottages is declining.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Target, the second-largest public corporation headquartered in the state (after UnitedHealth), experienced a front-page blowback from political controversies twice in recent years.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Elon Musk’s growing involvement in international politics, social media controversies, and ideological battles has begun to bleed into Tesla’s brand perception—particularly outside the United States.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Others come during private discussions.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Skubal’s side evidently saw little point in advancing the discussions.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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
-
In the first clip, Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly discusses the accusations, made by many MLB fans, that his team’s spending has made the sport less competitive, less fun and less fair.—
Scott Soshnick,
Sportico.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The three year lifespan of the Chief AI Officer discusses the stabilize, focus, embed, and dissolve phases.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Millions upon millions of people are using generative AI as their ongoing advisor on mental health considerations (note that ChatGPT alone has over 900 million weekly active users, a notable proportion of which dip into mental health aspects, see my analysis at the link here).—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Other considerations would be the development of nasal polyps or some kind of growth there.—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
25 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
-
That first year, an assignment on plastic surgery consultations led Kron to get her own facelift.—
Patricia Tortolani,
Allure,
29 Jan. 2026
-
These grants are usually in the six-figure range, says Ohinata, and are used for consultations, awareness-raising, and other safeguarding efforts.—
Kristin Houser,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debates. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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