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
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Recent Examples of debating
Emery is more articulate than many, and debating the fairness of the current system is a worthy endeavour, but even that snippet was rooted in a generous interpretation of ‘good management’.
—
Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Prompted by a question his son had about the number pi, Brooks began debating math with ChatGPT – particularly the idea that numbers do not just stay the same and can change over time.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Those that delay will keep debating intent while rivals lock in contracts, expand market share and strengthen both enterprise resilience and national security.
—Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The government of Toyoake, a city in the center of the country, is debating a non-binding ordinance that would urge residents to cap their smartphone use at two hours per day, per the BBC.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Evanston officials have been debating the document for months, particularly how much emphasis to put on allowing for more density.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
As of earlier this month, though, Schauffele was still debating whether to play in Napa.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2025
When lawmakers were debating a new mobilization law in early 2024, for example, Zelensky understood that the new rules could not be rushed and had to take account of the people’s wishes.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2025
Micah Parsons shared his wish to be traded from the Dallas Cowboys earlier this offseason, and speculation has since swirled, with many debating whether owner Jerry Jones will act amid the contract dispute.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Prompted by a question his son had about the number pi, Brooks began debating math with ChatGPT – particularly the idea that numbers do not just stay the same and can change over time.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Those that delay will keep debating intent while rivals lock in contracts, expand market share and strengthen both enterprise resilience and national security.
—Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The government of Toyoake, a city in the center of the country, is debating a non-binding ordinance that would urge residents to cap their smartphone use at two hours per day, per the BBC.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Evanston officials have been debating the document for months, particularly how much emphasis to put on allowing for more density.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
As of earlier this month, though, Schauffele was still debating whether to play in Napa.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2025
When lawmakers were debating a new mobilization law in early 2024, for example, Zelensky understood that the new rules could not be rushed and had to take account of the people’s wishes.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2025
Micah Parsons shared his wish to be traded from the Dallas Cowboys earlier this offseason, and speculation has since swirled, with many debating whether owner Jerry Jones will act amid the contract dispute.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debating
Verb
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In the eyes of many fans, discussions about musical quality have given way to conversations about who snitched; pondering an artist’s potential has been replaced by RICO speculation.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
3 Sep. 2025
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Also pondering shellfish, the German philosopher Carl du Prel insisted in 1885 that, in the wake of Darwin’s discoveries, people can no longer assume humans represent consciousness’s culmination in the Universe.—
Thomas Moynihan,
Big Think,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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As per the order, Bubba is prohibited from promoting the movie and discussing it on his program.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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Congressional leaders have been discussing how to fund the government after October 1.—
Amelia Wu,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Even the upside-down notion of Fox News turning into a progressive network or other legacy Murdoch assets being transformed seemed to be scenarios worth contemplating.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
8 Sep. 2025
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The film’s title carries particular significance for Yoon, who has been contemplating it for 15 years.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At the conclusion of the state's case Wednesday, the defense moved to have the case dismissed, arguing the state had failed to prove its case.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Sep. 2025
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However, a Minnesota court struck down the binary trigger ban, arguing that the legislature violated the state constitution’s single-subject clause by burying the ban inside a sprawling spending bill.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Now, the Heat are considering a reunion with a free agent former big man, according to Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun-Sentinel and Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald.—
Alex Kirschenbaum,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
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The city of Fort Worth is considering changing land use rules for a handful of parcels to allow buildings up to 15 stories.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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An international research team led by Tohoku University has uncovered the secret behind this biological capability by studying a specific set of neural mechanisms.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
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By studying objects from beyond the solar system, researchers may be able to understand more about the outermost dwarf planets.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The documentary, a small-town cyberbullying case that resulted in an FBI investigation, tells the topsy-turvy story in a way that leaves you questioning almost every person involved.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Leadership in the National Institute of Health questioning the use of mRNA vaccines (which include COVID vaccines).—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ripe figs are the star of this sophisticated salad, perfect for entertaining guests.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
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Apart from one shocking death (when Tranter switches from neutralizing bombs up close to eliminating threats with his long-range rifle), the action is entertaining enough in the moment, but not especially memorable.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debating. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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