1
as in pondering
to give serious and careful thought to
still debating what to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discussing
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 debating
Now lawmakers are eyeing more regulations and debating how to balance both the state’s clean energy goals with the economic benefits data centers bring.
—
Jessica Hill, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
Buc-ee’s customers are debating a new policy requiring card payments at the pump.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Apr. 2026
The anxious commentary, the breathless headlines asking whether the Dubai dream is over, the analysts debating the fate of the safe-haven brand are a measure of what was built.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 8 Apr. 2026
Executives at PepsiCo had been debating what to do about the pricing issue since at least as far back as 2024, when Frito-Lay’s revenues turned negative, according to people familiar with the matter.
—Wire Tbd, Dallas Morning News, 8 Apr. 2026
Executives at PepsiCo had been debating what to do about the pricing issue since at least as far back as 2024, when Frito-Lay’s revenues turned negative, according to people familiar with the matter.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
All concerned – writer, director and cast – will, ultimately, refuse to give up these characters’ games easily, with Becky Shaw building to a climax that will leave audiences debating and interpreting.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2026
Pop culture depictions of school shootings have often stoked controversy, with many viewers debating the line between storytelling and sensitivity.
—Saba Hamedy, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
The shows have been a talker online among fans and hip hop pundits, who are debating who will put on a better set.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Jessica Hill, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
Buc-ee’s customers are debating a new policy requiring card payments at the pump.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Apr. 2026
The anxious commentary, the breathless headlines asking whether the Dubai dream is over, the analysts debating the fate of the safe-haven brand are a measure of what was built.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 8 Apr. 2026
Executives at PepsiCo had been debating what to do about the pricing issue since at least as far back as 2024, when Frito-Lay’s revenues turned negative, according to people familiar with the matter.
—Wire Tbd, Dallas Morning News, 8 Apr. 2026
Executives at PepsiCo had been debating what to do about the pricing issue since at least as far back as 2024, when Frito-Lay’s revenues turned negative, according to people familiar with the matter.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
All concerned – writer, director and cast – will, ultimately, refuse to give up these characters’ games easily, with Becky Shaw building to a climax that will leave audiences debating and interpreting.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2026
Pop culture depictions of school shootings have often stoked controversy, with many viewers debating the line between storytelling and sensitivity.
—Saba Hamedy, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
The shows have been a talker online among fans and hip hop pundits, who are debating who will put on a better set.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debating
Verb
-
And maybe one of those records was… The bard of New England dares to get meaningful on this two-part song, which begins by pondering the mysteries of time and ends with a singalong ode to seasonal renewal.—
Brett Milano,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Distracted ends with Bruner fretting over money and pondering options.—
Will Hermes,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Spain and China plan to sign an investment agreement during the three-day visit that begins Saturday, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private negotiations.—
Daniel Basteiro,
Bloomberg,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Trump’s tweet came minutes after a segment on Fox Business discussing Michael Burry’s bear case against Palantir, in which the money manager made famous by The Big Short has argued that rival Anthropic PBC is winning the race for enterprise AI spending.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Soaring gas prices would appear to have many Americans contemplating if now might be the time to add an EV, or possibly another, to the family fleet.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
7 Apr. 2026
-
After staring down 30, experiencing a career lull, and contemplating quitting music altogether, the singer staked her future in the industry on the fate of her fourth record.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In reaction, Afreximbank in January formally ended its relationship with one of the Big Three rating agencies, arguing that rating methodologies applied to states and multilateral institutions fail to reflect development mandates.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Combs’ lawyers formally appealed the conviction last December, arguing the encounters were consensual and the trial judge imposed an overly harsh sentence.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Those that may be considering a merger, or those involved in consolidation or more complex ownership and governance arrangements should take note of these changes and seek the guidance of qualified counsel.—
Evonne Andris,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The parties involved in the deal have since been looking for ways to move forward with the sale, including considering plans to add a Chinese investor to the consortium.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Zach is hunched over a bowl of fruit-adjacent cereal studying a Calvin and Hobbes book lying open on the counter.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
-
RevMed expects to share data this quarter from a Phase 3 trial studying its pill versus chemotherapy in people whose cancer has spread and who have already tried one other treatment.—
Angelica Peebles,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The individual is awaiting questioning by Ontario Police Department detectives who are en route.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
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The Microsoft co-founder is scheduled for questioning on June 10, the source said.—
Graham Kates,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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An adjacent nook offers space for a two-piece band, entertaining guests with live music both indoors and outside.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Enjoy redecorating and entertaining at home.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debating. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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