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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of debating
Opposite a serene Rooney Mara and a raging Claire Foy, Buckley is a lone dissenting voice in Sarah Polley’s heart-wrenching portrait of a group of women and girls in an isolated Mennonite colony who are debating how to respond to a series of brutal attacks from the men in their community.
—
Radhika Seth, Vogue, 12 Jan. 2026
Many Americans are debating whether the shooting was justified after videos taken by bystanders and cellphone footage from the officer were released, leading to protests around the country.
—Grace Miserocchi, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
If debating between presenting facts versus making a more emotional appeal, read your room.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026
The Senate is likely to vote to proceed to a resolution on Monday and spend the rest of the week debating it.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2026
The union is a student debating society at the University of Oxford in England.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
But as a standoff with Realmuto has lingered, the Phillies began debating different paths.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Exoplanet research is expected to be a major focus, with sessions organized by NASA's Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group examining the latest discoveries and debating priorities for future missions.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 5 Jan. 2026
In this Club Check-in, CNBC's Paulina Likos and Zev Fima break down big tech's massive artificial intelligence spending spree — debating whether these billion-dollar bets will drive long-term cost savings or weigh on near-term returns.
—Paulina Likos,zev Fima, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2025
Radhika Seth, Vogue, 12 Jan. 2026
Many Americans are debating whether the shooting was justified after videos taken by bystanders and cellphone footage from the officer were released, leading to protests around the country.
—Grace Miserocchi, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
If debating between presenting facts versus making a more emotional appeal, read your room.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026
The Senate is likely to vote to proceed to a resolution on Monday and spend the rest of the week debating it.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2026
The union is a student debating society at the University of Oxford in England.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
But as a standoff with Realmuto has lingered, the Phillies began debating different paths.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Exoplanet research is expected to be a major focus, with sessions organized by NASA's Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group examining the latest discoveries and debating priorities for future missions.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 5 Jan. 2026
In this Club Check-in, CNBC's Paulina Likos and Zev Fima break down big tech's massive artificial intelligence spending spree — debating whether these billion-dollar bets will drive long-term cost savings or weigh on near-term returns.
—Paulina Likos,zev Fima, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debating
Verb
-
An online war of words has tech leaders pondering a hollowing out of Silicon Valley, and millions of dollars are flowing to political committees engaged in the fight.—
MIchael R. Blood,
Fortune,
14 Jan. 2026
-
And for those pondering their futures, going out with a win sure beats the alternative.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The audio, obtained by TMZ, includes Moore's wife Kelli discussing Moore's condition with police operators after Moore was fired from his position in December.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Hunt was just as optimistic as his coach when discussing the prospects of playing his first game since September, too.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Smart’s captors subjected her to rape daily, something that drove her to the point of contemplating suicide.—
Stephanie Kaloi,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The inventive dishes called to mind the blue zone pillar of nourishing our bodies with food from the earth, and left me contemplating how to incorporate more ingredients like these into my everyday diet.—
Mary Honkus,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Trump has openly lobbied for the Nobel Peace Prize, arguing that his actions have helped resolve multiple international conflicts, claims that have drawn public backing from several world leaders.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Prosecutors deny Bondi has conflict of interest Federal prosecutors slammed the defense's claims as meritless and misleading, arguing there is no conflict of interest with the attorney general because there is no present or future financial gain.—
Christina Fan,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The money could also help towards landing Alvarez, but alternatively perhaps acquire a decent full back available at a cut rate considering Joao Cancelo is only in Catalonia on loan too.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Other countries are considering their invitations.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Both of us started studying the Ojibwe language.—
David Treuer,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Now a new preprint study is shedding light on Sagittarius A* by studying what happens as material falls toward the black hole.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Several speakers said their concern was less about state law itself and more about communication, questioning whether parents would be informed when their child seeks services.—
Nina Burns,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
With the disappearing of Robeson also came the disappearance of questioning the effect of free-market capitalism on Black communities, a once vibrant question replaced by the celebration of individual wealth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Joan Wagner of Overland Park, Kansas, considers this baked apple dish her easy-entertaining recipe.—
Ginger Crichton,
Midwest Living,
20 Jan. 2026
-
These series offer an escape from the confines of the real world, reflecting universal truths while entertaining us with original ideas.—
Ilana Gordon,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debating. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
