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
Andrew Pasquier, Them., 18 Sep. 2025
Kirk was speaking to university students in Orem, Utah, at one of his many college-campus debates when he was shot in the neck.
—Connor Greene, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
Known for his ‘Prove Me Wrong’ debates and MAGA POV, activist Kirk was shot dead at Utah Valley University on September 10 in a tragedy that has sent shock through the political and media worlds.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2025
Powell’s term expires in May, and the succession battle has already spilled into policy debates.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Avoid engaging with harassment or escalating online debates.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2025
Many observers have pointed out the resemblance of the firing campaign to online mobs circa 2020, and the entire episode has reignited debates over the difference between free speech and social censure.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
Kirk became a Republican hero for motivating and organizing young conservatives through debates and a podcast that criticized Democrats and the left.
—Melissa Galbraith, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
He was known for making regular appearances on conservative media and hosting debates on college campuses.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
As Washington debates the future of the space agency, the Perseverance team can only go about its business, sending its rover this way and that, to sniff out clues to Mars’s ancient past.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
During such events, Kirk debates students and others about myriad of topics, some of them controversial.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 11 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
In another book, Miriam Toews’s novel Women Talking, which is based on a true story, a group of Mennonite women debates whether to flee their isolated community—or stay and fight—after a group of men are caught drugging and raping them.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
Alcaraz and Sinner are early enough in their careers that debates around their legacies feel silly.
—Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
Nevertheless, the article made many people upset, leading to thousands of negative comments, many rave-side debates, and a coordinated letter to the editor requesting a retraction.
—Andrew Pasquier, Them., 18 Sep. 2025
Kirk was speaking to university students in Orem, Utah, at one of his many college-campus debates when he was shot in the neck.
—Connor Greene, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
Known for his ‘Prove Me Wrong’ debates and MAGA POV, activist Kirk was shot dead at Utah Valley University on September 10 in a tragedy that has sent shock through the political and media worlds.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2025
Powell’s term expires in May, and the succession battle has already spilled into policy debates.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Avoid engaging with harassment or escalating online debates.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2025
Many observers have pointed out the resemblance of the firing campaign to online mobs circa 2020, and the entire episode has reignited debates over the difference between free speech and social censure.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
Kirk became a Republican hero for motivating and organizing young conservatives through debates and a podcast that criticized Democrats and the left.
—Melissa Galbraith, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
He was known for making regular appearances on conservative media and hosting debates on college campuses.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
As Washington debates the future of the space agency, the Perseverance team can only go about its business, sending its rover this way and that, to sniff out clues to Mars’s ancient past.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
During such events, Kirk debates students and others about myriad of topics, some of them controversial.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 11 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
In another book, Miriam Toews’s novel Women Talking, which is based on a true story, a group of Mennonite women debates whether to flee their isolated community—or stay and fight—after a group of men are caught drugging and raping them.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
Alcaraz and Sinner are early enough in their careers that debates around their legacies feel silly.
—Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debates
Noun
-
The second trial resulted in his conviction after nine days of deliberations, leading to a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.—
Adeola Adeosun
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
-
On Thursday, opening the fifth day of the coup trial deliberations, Justice Carmén Lúcia voted to convict Bolsonaro.—
Adriana Carranca,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But before this, Eververse controversies were not usually 1) a set of armor very clearly being taken from a free activity and made paid and 2) the game being in one of its worst states of all time with player sentiment bottomed out.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
But the city has also faced a recent string of controversies under her leadership and calls for greater transparency.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Share discoveries and ask questions in team discussions.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Israel’s escalating assault on Gaza City came as Rubio arrived in the country for discussions about the war and the hostages.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Becker studies interactions among wheat, its resident fungi, and drought tolerance, with the goal of improving crop resilience.—
Anna Marija Helt,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Democratic hopes Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball, another nonpartisan group that studies House races, was more circumspect.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In fact, given the scarcity of Black programming in the current television landscape—Issa Rae’s new documentary series Seen & Heard discusses this reality in depth—the world of women’s basketball has been one of the few spaces where the bright lights consistently shine on Black women and girls.—
Timeka Tounsel,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Now Kennedy himself is driving much of what the committee discusses, including today’s deliberations on hepatitis B and MMRV, Demetre Daskalakis, the former director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told us.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Criteria are detailed for risk assessment, hazard mitigation, rider restraint and dimensions, biomechanical considerations including acceleration limits, mechanical loads, electrical, operating conditions, fencing, handrails, gates, walkways, signage and many other areas.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
-
This article illustrates both the tax and IRMAA considerations when considering a Roth Conversion.—
James Brewer,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 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
-
This includes virtual consultations, online patient management tools, and digital therapeutics.—
TIME Staff,
Time,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Then, too, Warsaw invoked Article 4, which calls for emergency consultations among member states.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debates. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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