Synonyms of debating

debating

verb

present participle of debate

1

as in pondering

to give serious and careful thought to

still debating what to do

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pondering
• contemplating
• considering
• studying
• questioning
• entertaining
• weighing
• exploring
• reviewing
• eyeing
• analyzing
• deliberating
• ruminating
• cogitating
• thinking (about or over)
• looking at
• meditating
• revolving
• mulling (over)
• wrestling (with)
• chewing on
• turning
• poring (over)
• digesting
• chewing over
• perpending
• reasoning
• kicking around
• reminiscing
• reflecting (on or upon)
• beating one's brains out (about)
• believing
• concluding
• opining
• cudgeling one's brains (about)
• musing (upon)
• speculating (about)
• dwelling (on or upon)
• second-guessing
• absorbing
• fixating (on or upon)
• conceiving
• obsessing (about or over)
• brooding (about or over)
• fretting (about or over)
• assimilating
• drinking (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignoring
• disregarding
• overlooking
• dismissing
• rejecting
• slighting
• pooh-poohing

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

• discussing
• arguing
• reviewing
• disputing
• canvassing
• agitating
• talking over
• bandying
• considering
• raising
• batting (around or back and forth)
• mooting
• speaking (about)
• talking (about)
• hashing (over or out)
• introducing
• weighing
• deliberating
• propounding
• stirring up
• broaching
• forging
• wrestling (with)
• talking out
• hammering out
• thrashing (out)
• chewing over

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of debating

The vaccine may also usher in a new wave of treatments for other types of cancer, though experts are debating how broadly applicable the technology could be. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026

In the early 1980s, Resnicoff says that Congress was debating the Religious Apparel Amendment, which would have allowed Jews serving in the military to cover their heads. — Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Lawmakers from the candidates’ respective parties also found much agreement when debating a critical minerals law that centers domestic value addition earlier this year. — Eugenia Perozo, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026

The state had it while Florida was debating dramatic changes to its insurance laws. — Matthew T. Christ, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

While candidates spent some time debating foreign policy and domestic issues, including insurance costs, Social Security, taxes, stock trading and ethics, the bulk of the forum focused on Israel and antisemitism. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Parliament is currently debating its 2027 budget, but the government lacks a parliamentary majority and may resort to special powers. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

The Presbyterian seminary student made the comment while debating legislation related to transgender people participating in school sports. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026

Agree On Decision Criteria First Agree on the decision criteria before debating the decision. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026