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
-
Leaders and others in these communities have often spoken out against violence as a solution, while warning that pondering existential and nightmarish scenarios can overwhelm and destabilize vulnerable people.—
St. John Barned-Smith,
San Francisco Chronicle,
12 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
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Panelists will share specific examples from their work on Amazon MGM Studios Originals, discussing triumphs, lessons learned, and what’s to come for Prime Video customers.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
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Likewise, Israel and Lebanon began discussing a ceasefire.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But bad ideas are endemic to the region, so now the city is contemplating a similar diversion of its reserves.—
Harvey Levine,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The city is contemplating a brisk timeline of four years to build the stadium.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For tariffs that have been liquidated within 180 days, importers can also file a protest, which is a formal challenge with the CBP arguing that an error was made in assessing duties, such as the tariff rate applied to an import.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
17 Apr. 2026
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The estate is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, funeral expenses, attorney's fees, and other relief, arguing that multiple parties share responsibility for Avery's death under Georgia law because their actions combined to cause a single fatal outcome.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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State lawmakers are considering several bills to improve California's power storage capabilities and provide financial incentives to utilities for modernization efforts.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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An attorney for Eastman had countered that his client wasn't trying to steal the election but was considering ways to delay electoral vote counting so states could investigate allegations of voting improprieties.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Experts gain valuable insights into how animal brains acquire new skills and master intricate sounds by studying vocal learning.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Apr. 2026
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In many programs, that means stepping into a kitchen and learning to prepare meals firsthand, not just studying nutrition from a distance.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Sources say the character didn’t survive test screenings (audiences kept questioning why Andy needed a roommate at all).—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
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Panamanian officials confirmed that Jalil was immediately transferred to the country’s Judicial Investigation Directorate and is expected to face questioning by prosecutors in the coming days.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Still, Williams isn’t entertaining any arguments about his usage.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2026
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Or the assumption that such is friends’ motivation for entertaining.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debating. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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