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
Their days are spent swimming in the lake, picnicking by the beach and debating poetry and literature.
—
Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
One scene shows the crew in a garage deconstructing a surfboard and passionately debating where the fins should go.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 15 May 2026
These agents have segmented tasks, with some hunting for vulnerabilities and others debating whether flaws discovered are real or exploitable.
—Tim Keary, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
The president signed an executive order on March 31 that attempts to change the rules on mail-in voting, and his allies in Congress are endeavoring to reshape elections ahead of the midterms this fall, spending weeks debating a voter-ID bill that is almost certainly doomed.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
Rock and dance music defenders alike have reached for their pitchforks, but Charli isn’t interested in debating or explaining the song to them.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2026
Researchers are still debating the reading recession’s causes.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
Now, as the project winds down amid mounting costs and criticism, Republicans are debating whether it should be remembered as a successful proof of concept or an expensive political stunt whose symbolism ultimately outweighed its results.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
The exchanges grew increasingly heated as Pratt repeatedly attacked Raman’s homelessness proposals, prompting Raman to accuse Pratt and Bass of focusing more on attacking her than debating one another.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 7 May 2026
Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
One scene shows the crew in a garage deconstructing a surfboard and passionately debating where the fins should go.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 15 May 2026
These agents have segmented tasks, with some hunting for vulnerabilities and others debating whether flaws discovered are real or exploitable.
—Tim Keary, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
The president signed an executive order on March 31 that attempts to change the rules on mail-in voting, and his allies in Congress are endeavoring to reshape elections ahead of the midterms this fall, spending weeks debating a voter-ID bill that is almost certainly doomed.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
Rock and dance music defenders alike have reached for their pitchforks, but Charli isn’t interested in debating or explaining the song to them.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2026
Researchers are still debating the reading recession’s causes.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
Now, as the project winds down amid mounting costs and criticism, Republicans are debating whether it should be remembered as a successful proof of concept or an expensive political stunt whose symbolism ultimately outweighed its results.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
The exchanges grew increasingly heated as Pratt repeatedly attacked Raman’s homelessness proposals, prompting Raman to accuse Pratt and Bass of focusing more on attacking her than debating one another.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debating
Verb
-
EBay’s board is now pondering GameStop’s offer.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
-
The sequence left us pondering our pet cats and, for good measure, our worst selves.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
Verb
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In discussing prospects, Lyman mentioned resources like the Commonwealth AI group.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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Once women start openly discussing the realities of midlife, many also begin exploring new ways to regulate stress, improve sleep, support mental clarity and navigate aging on their own terms.—
Aisha Alves,
Rolling Stone,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Anyone contemplating suicide or struggling with their mental health should call 9-8-8, the state’s crisis center consortium.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 May 2026
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As the post-war period quickly gave way to the Cold War, every major power began contemplating what the next evolution in the tank would be.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
20 May 2026
Verb
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In recent years, a few prominent detransitioners, including Chloe Cole and Prisha Mosley, have advocated for restrictions on transition care for minors, arguing in lawsuits against doctors who treated them that their care was too easy to access and that doctors failed them.—
Jo Yurcaba,
NBC news,
16 May 2026
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James Ward During the debate, Republican candidate Steve Hilton said that only a small percentage of California has been developed for housing, arguing that the state should focus on building homes on undeveloped land rather than increasing density in existing cities.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Powering the phone is a MediaTek Helio G99—this is a bit underpowered, even at this price point, but considering this is not meant to be a main phone, the silicon is serviceable.—
Ben Sin,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
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That didn’t sit well with many people, considering the havoc caused by the crash.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
One way that astronomers determine the distance to an object in space is by studying its light.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
15 May 2026
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What began as a groundbreaking social experiment to see how a group of strangers could live together on an island for 39 days has gradually evolved into an intricate strategy game that superfans devote their lives to studying.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
15 May 2026
Verb
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And the two are treated differently, with Dorothy and other characters repeatedly questioning whether Tik-Tok is, in fact, alive.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
19 May 2026
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Wanted for questioning, Watts later surrendered to authorities on an outstanding federal arrest warrant.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Past the violin was an oil painting of the child Mozart entertaining nobles at the Maison du Temple.—
Michael Schulman,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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The kitchen, situated on the main floor, is a particular standout, showcasing a massive island topped with Viola marble and a full suite of Gaggenau and La Cornue appliances, including multiple ovens that will come in handy for entertaining large groups.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debating. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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