discuss

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb discuss contrast with its synonyms?

The words argue and debate are common synonyms of discuss. While all three words mean "to discourse about in order to reach conclusions or to convince," discuss implies a sifting of possibilities especially by presenting considerations pro and con.

discussed the need for a new highway

When can argue be used instead of discuss?

Although the words argue and discuss have much in common, argue implies the offering of reasons or evidence in support of convictions already held.

argued that the project would be too costly

When would debate be a good substitute for discuss?

The synonyms debate and discuss are sometimes interchangeable, but debate suggests formal or public argument between opposing parties; it may also apply to deliberation with oneself.

debated the merits of the amendment
I'm debating whether I should go

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 discuss Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah had discussed terms with Barcelona and was offered to Madrid months ago, but was turned down. Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 3 May 2025 Speaking to IndieWire back at Sundance where the film premiered, Questlove discussed including a shot of Will Smith in a montage for the film. Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 3 May 2025 Here is how Trump's team reacted to a Hillary Clinton security breach Officials in the group discussed military plans to strike the Houthi militant movement in Yemen, and Hegseth sent a message detailing strike times by U.S. warplanes and drones – as Goldberg reported in the bombshell article. Joey Garrison, USA Today, 2 May 2025 Peace talks in London between the United States, Ukraine and other European countries to discuss ending the Russia-Ukraine war were downgraded after it was announced that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio would not attend. Filip Timotija, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for discuss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discuss
Verb
  • His remarks come as House Republicans continue to debate key elements of the package, including Medicaid funding and the state and local tax deduction.
    Amanda Castro Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • Though Republicans had the numbers to advance the measure, Democrats drew out the markup by debating more than 20 amendments that touched mostly on Hegseth.
    Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Mills argued the clause blocks the lawsuit because the Federal Tort Claims Act directs federal judges to interpret the merits of this type of case based on state law.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Xzibit’s filing argues that the two have been separated for more than four years.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Most players who aren’t reviewing the game should feel comfortable skipping these scenes and getting back to the action as quickly as possible.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 9 May 2025
  • For the study, published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, scientists reviewed more than a dozen previous papers, including data on nearly 6,000 distance runners.
    Brian Mastroianni, Health, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Discuss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discuss. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

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