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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debating
The Oxford Union debating society announced Tuesday the ouster of President-elect George Abaraonye after reported comments celebrating the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
—
Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 22 Oct. 2025
What To Know Measure 26-260 was crafted by the Portland City Council and referred to voters in June after months of debating how to present it to residents.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Qerim won a lot of respect, including from ESPN staffers, with her knack for calmly reining in Smith and the voluble personalities debating him.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Kirk, who would have turned 32 on Tuesday, was assassinated at Utah Valley University while debating college students.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
The Supreme Court on Wednesday spent hours debating whether electoral districts can be created to protect minorities' voting rights without discriminating against others.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Fed officials themselves are debating how best to steer the economy.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Our energy is better spent wrestling with that complexity — and seeking ways through it — than debating which legal definition best fits this tragedy.
—Dafna Michaelson Jenet, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
With the nation's 250th anniversary approaching, many teachers, parents and politicians are debating the best ways for students to learn about American history.
—Cory Turner, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025
Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 22 Oct. 2025
What To Know Measure 26-260 was crafted by the Portland City Council and referred to voters in June after months of debating how to present it to residents.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Qerim won a lot of respect, including from ESPN staffers, with her knack for calmly reining in Smith and the voluble personalities debating him.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Kirk, who would have turned 32 on Tuesday, was assassinated at Utah Valley University while debating college students.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
The Supreme Court on Wednesday spent hours debating whether electoral districts can be created to protect minorities' voting rights without discriminating against others.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Fed officials themselves are debating how best to steer the economy.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Our energy is better spent wrestling with that complexity — and seeking ways through it — than debating which legal definition best fits this tragedy.
—Dafna Michaelson Jenet, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
With the nation's 250th anniversary approaching, many teachers, parents and politicians are debating the best ways for students to learn about American history.
—Cory Turner, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debating
Verb
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The Forest owner has been pondering his options That is not unusual — the Greek shipping magnate always likes to have a plan B in place.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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That’s 16 days of public silence and private plotting — 16 days of preparing for a case management conference and pondering motions and strategizing for the discovery process and delving into every facet of this year-long case that has no end in sight.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After being introduced to Picasso, Stein quickly developed a close relationship with him, discussing his work in his cluttered studio, giving him loans, and purchasing his paintings.—
Daphne Merkin,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
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So, is the idea to replicate the British pub experience of people discussing hot topics informally?—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With John Cena set to retire, many people are contemplating who his opponent should be in his final match.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Inside, Archimedes begins contemplating the Universe beyond the Earth, and starts recounting various ideas about what its nature could be.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The two were arguing inside a car and then got out of the car, where the fight escalated, police said.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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One report, citing a source close to Sheridan, even claimed the writer was annoyed that Paramount sent too many of its top suits to a meeting designed to keep Sheridan onboard, arguing that Ellison had messed up by bringing more than two execs along with him.—
Josef Adalian,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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According to the agenda for the organization’s regular meeting, the board is considering James Sly, the current chief executive officer of the East County Economic Development Corporation, to serve as its next leader.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
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The democratic control of a new technology like AI requires public deliberation, and such public deliberation might seem impossible considering the view held by many (and reinforced by the tech industry) that AI is very complicated.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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By studying quenching mechanics at the microscopic level, Graffiedi aims to enable faster refueling in orbit.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
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Rucci’s journey into fashion began unexpectedly while studying philosophy and literature at Temple University.—
Tonya Blazio-Licorish,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Critics are still questioning his tactics, his fundraising, and the contents of an in-progress review of the party’s 2024 election mistakes.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
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In his remarks, Moss cast doubt on the credibility of that defense, repeatedly questioning the quick-twitch decision to demand that NPR no longer run the distribution system after such a longstanding arrangement.—
NPR,
NPR,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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On the pitch, Barca are competing again, entertaining again.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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Located on the top floor of a historic 1920s building right by Fulton Market, this prime Airbnb is great for entertaining.—
Gabriela Ulloa,
Architectural Digest,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debating. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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