1
as in deliberations
a careful weighing of the reasons for or against something
after much debate, I decided to get the chocolate ice cream
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in controversies
variance of opinion on a matter
there was a great deal of debate over the need for cutting costs by eliminating some programs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in discussions
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue
there was no debate over the expenditures before the vote
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in studies
to give serious and careful thought to
still debating what to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discusses
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 debates
Victor Riparbelli, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
Most commonsense Americans understand that there is no reason paying America's warriors should be held hostage to arcane debates over housing policy.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
The Forest Lake school board, which is split 4-3, has drawn attention because of its recent debates over whether to remove a dress code ban on swastikas, the KKK and the Confederate flag.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025
His tenure as mayor was during a tumultuous time, as debates over diversity, equity and inclusion drew national attention.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2025
Interested in more science debates?
—Berly McCoy, NPR, 20 Oct. 2025
And look for dozens of episodes featuring genre-spanning discussions, debates, and explainers with Rolling Stone’s critics and reporters.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
Just 20 votes are needed to form a majority against him, and the upcoming budget debates will also be crucial and tense.
—Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
In many of his campus debates, Kirk urged students to adopt a Christian lifestyle, to marry young, have children, and prioritize family.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2025
Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025
Hashmi, who flipped a suburban Richmond seat in 2019 to become the first Muslim woman elected to the Virginia Senate, has not committed to any lieutenant governor debates this cycle.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 16 Oct. 2025
As her husband nears one year in his new job, Hines is nearing one year with a new life even as the country debates her spouse's controversial policy agenda including his beliefs about vaccines.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
In a third scene, the group debates what to do.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 23 Sep. 2025
The world often debates climate change in the language of science and economics.
—Feleti Penitala Teo, Time, 22 Sep. 2025
Al-Shaibani met with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle as Congress debates whether to repeal comprehensive sanctions on Syria, levied under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 18 Sep. 2025
As the Fed debates its next move, remember that Warren Buffett isn’t trying to guess tomorrow’s stock chart.
—Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
In the second episode, which premiered on August 6, Cartman imitates Kirk with a podcast and debates college students.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
Provenance debates burn hot, then cool, as audiences standardize on value.
—Victor Riparbelli, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
Most commonsense Americans understand that there is no reason paying America's warriors should be held hostage to arcane debates over housing policy.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
The Forest Lake school board, which is split 4-3, has drawn attention because of its recent debates over whether to remove a dress code ban on swastikas, the KKK and the Confederate flag.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025
His tenure as mayor was during a tumultuous time, as debates over diversity, equity and inclusion drew national attention.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2025
Interested in more science debates?
—Berly McCoy, NPR, 20 Oct. 2025
And look for dozens of episodes featuring genre-spanning discussions, debates, and explainers with Rolling Stone’s critics and reporters.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
Just 20 votes are needed to form a majority against him, and the upcoming budget debates will also be crucial and tense.
—Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
In many of his campus debates, Kirk urged students to adopt a Christian lifestyle, to marry young, have children, and prioritize family.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
And now, many financial advisors are watching as Congress debates Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies amid the government shutdown.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025
Hashmi, who flipped a suburban Richmond seat in 2019 to become the first Muslim woman elected to the Virginia Senate, has not committed to any lieutenant governor debates this cycle.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 16 Oct. 2025
As her husband nears one year in his new job, Hines is nearing one year with a new life even as the country debates her spouse's controversial policy agenda including his beliefs about vaccines.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
In a third scene, the group debates what to do.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 23 Sep. 2025
The world often debates climate change in the language of science and economics.
—Feleti Penitala Teo, Time, 22 Sep. 2025
Al-Shaibani met with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle as Congress debates whether to repeal comprehensive sanctions on Syria, levied under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 18 Sep. 2025
As the Fed debates its next move, remember that Warren Buffett isn’t trying to guess tomorrow’s stock chart.
—Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
In the second episode, which premiered on August 6, Cartman imitates Kirk with a podcast and debates college students.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debates
Noun
-
After deliberations that stretched out over two meetings this week, Milpitas City Council narrowly voted Friday to ask Councilmember Evelyn Chua to apologize for an incident that nearly broke state law and allegedly breached several city codes.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
25 Oct. 2025
-
In August, however, the hard-liners began to win out, according to someone with knowledge of the Administration’s internal deliberations.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
While the band is preparing for its return to the spotlight, past controversies continue to follow them.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
26 Oct. 2025
-
However, this new poll indicates that at least among young voters, controversies tied to extremist symbols may not turn the dial with their loyalties, highlighting a potential limit of the impact of scandals in modern campaigns and a potential shift in political tolerance.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And look for dozens of episodes featuring genre-spanning discussions, debates, and explainers with Rolling Stone‘s critics and reporters.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
26 Oct. 2025
-
After trading superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers ahead of the 2025 NFL season, the Cowboys have extra draft capital to work with in trade discussions.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Amanda Paluch, a professor of kinesiology at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst who studies step counts as a measure of physical exercise, says the popular benchmark seems to have been inspired by a Japanese pedometer device made decades ago.—
Veronique Greenwood,
Time,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The foundation, a progressive-leaning group which studies employment trends, compiled the data as the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics has stopped providing its weekly reports on unemployment because of the shutdown.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The trio discusses Ohtani’s superlative success, not just on the field but off it.—
Scott Soshnick,
Sportico.com,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Elsewhere in the podcast, Shallow discusses her penchant for using femininity and flirtation as reality TV weapons, and how that nickname cast a shadow on her real-life relationships.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But Deacon dismissed security considerations over Chinese applicants.—
Didi Kirsten Tatlow,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
That means adding manufacturability metrics and lifecycle considerations into the AI’s goal, not treating them as an afterthought.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
According to him, advances in machine learning have yanked questions once trapped inside theological/philosophical disputations into corporate board packs.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In instances of severe infestation, insecticides or professional consultations are also recommended.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The company also maintains a permanent outpost in London and offers virtual consultations.—
Emily Burns,
Footwear News,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debates. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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