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
The Florida House of Representatives is debating legislation that would require local governments to allow single-family homeowners to build accessory dwelling units — commonly known as efficiencies or granny flats — on their properties.
—
Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Join Richard Sher’s panel with Vatz, Catalina Byrd, Jimmy Mathis and Barry Gogel debating the continuing feud between Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and State’s Attorney Ivan Bates.
—Bill Wachsberger, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026
Minneapolis reveals the new calculus What makes Minneapolis distinctive is that the federal government isn’t a distant policy actor debating legislation in Washington.
—Alessandro Piazza, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2026
What makes Minneapolis distinctive is that the federal government isn’t a distant policy actor debating legislation in Washington.
—Alessandro Piazza, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
For years, parents and psychologists have been debating how much parental support is too much.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Commenting, forwarding, debating, dissecting.
—Maya Singer, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2026
This week, legislators will begin debating several of them.
—The Denver Post, Denver Post, 31 Jan. 2026
By Friday, the website’s AI agents were debating how to hide their activity from human users.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026
Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Join Richard Sher’s panel with Vatz, Catalina Byrd, Jimmy Mathis and Barry Gogel debating the continuing feud between Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and State’s Attorney Ivan Bates.
—Bill Wachsberger, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026
Minneapolis reveals the new calculus What makes Minneapolis distinctive is that the federal government isn’t a distant policy actor debating legislation in Washington.
—Alessandro Piazza, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2026
What makes Minneapolis distinctive is that the federal government isn’t a distant policy actor debating legislation in Washington.
—Alessandro Piazza, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
For years, parents and psychologists have been debating how much parental support is too much.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Commenting, forwarding, debating, dissecting.
—Maya Singer, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2026
This week, legislators will begin debating several of them.
—The Denver Post, Denver Post, 31 Jan. 2026
By Friday, the website’s AI agents were debating how to hide their activity from human users.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debating
Verb
-
But homeowners like Kahn are already pondering San Jose without Mayor Mahan.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The Rams will be at home pondering what might have been.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In recent years, Lewinsky has since reemerged as an anti-bullying advocate and public speaker, frequently discussing the lasting consequences of public shaming and how the scandal continues to shape her life today.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The roughly minute-long video centered on footage discussing unsubstantiated voter fraud allegations in the 2020 presidential election before briefly flipping to the clip of the Obamas.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
OpenAI may be contemplating an IPO before the end of the year in part to get out in the public market ahead of its rival Anthropic, according to the Journal’s reporting.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Lately, she’s been reading up on the licensing rules in other states and contemplating a move after her husband finishes school.—
Natalie Yahr,
jsonline.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Attorneys for a Utah woman accused of murdering her husband are seeking a last-minute change of venue, arguing the case has become too well-known locally for justice to be decided by an impartial jury.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The Scottish sea air has produced a number of maverick electronic musicians—Rustie, Hudson Mohawke, Proc Fiskal—and in recent years, KAVARI’s prolific, sound design–forward work is arguing the case for her induction into the pantheon.—
James Gui,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Take the quiz here … REAL STEAL – These states are considering eliminating property taxes for homeowners.—
,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The Pats and Seahawks aren’t quite the draw of the Eagles and Chiefs, but Nielsen’s new measurement system has been boosting TV ratings across sports over the past six months, so put me down for a record 128 million (or more), especially considering the global appeal of Bad Bunny.—
Dan Shanoff,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The study authors are still studying the lipstick vine species while also examining close relatives to observe further the role of pollinators in the evolution and speciation of the plants, Lu said.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
As part of the Ermlin Project, Granata is studying mustelids like stoats and assessing their conservation status in the Alps.—
Aliza Chasan,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Late Tuesday evening, hours after the images were released, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI detained a person for questioning in the case.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Tensions flared and the hearing sparked heated exchanges — the Democrats comparing the enforcement operations to Nazi Germany and questioning how the administration officials will be judged — the chairman at times gaveling the lawmakers back to order.—
Rebecca Santana,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Oakland’s council has swung in a less activist-friendly political direction this past year, awarding robust police surveillance contracts and entertaining more aggressive policies around clearing homeless encampments.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Further along are stacked formal rooms ideal for entertaining.—
Lynn Slaney Silguero,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debating. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
