1
as in introducing
to present or bring forward for discussion
conservatives had shouted down the proposal when it was first mooted
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
the issue of whether a person's nature or upbringing is more important continues to be mooted by experts and laymen alike
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 mooting
The missing piece from any effort to tie this conversation to current events is the role that federal-state coöperation has played historically in mooting this question.
—
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Tomahawk missiles One way the White House is turning the screws on Moscow is by mooting the possibility of supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
This week saw Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos descending on the Eternal City to announce the streaming giant’s plans to help revive a storied cinema, as well as a host of international TV executives mooting the possibility of an upturn that could pull the global drama biz out of its recent doldrums.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Tomahawk missiles One way the White House is turning the screws on Moscow is by mooting the possibility of supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
This week saw Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos descending on the Eternal City to announce the streaming giant’s plans to help revive a storied cinema, as well as a host of international TV executives mooting the possibility of an upturn that could pull the global drama biz out of its recent doldrums.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mooting
Verb
-
Now, authorities are stepping in to slow the flow, introducing new restrictions aimed at curbing day-trip tourism.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
When a damaging news cycle lingers, Trump is prone to, fully intentionally and knowingly, introducing a new, even more sensational headline of his own making, a distraction that scrambles the media's focus and divides his critics' energy.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After all, the story is so endlessly compelling that people are still discussing and dissecting it 200 years later.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Some of the emails exchanged between Epstein and Tisch appeared to show the two discussing women, in one instance in a rather explicit manner.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The agent is seen raising the pepper spray can, pointing it towards the crowd in what looked to be an attempt to keep them at a distance.—
Gio Insignares,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
In an email to The Times, Newsom spokesperson Tara Gallegos said the governor had a strong record of fighting for workers’ rights, including raising the minimum wage and expanding sick leave and other worker protections.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
Verb
-
Generally, the judges who’ve released detainees say the federal government is wrongly arguing that a statute that historically applied to migrants caught at the border can be applied to anyone seeking to gain legal status to remain in the United States.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
In 2014, the New York Times published a six-part series arguing for a repeal on the federal marijuana ban, comparing the government’s treatment of cannabis to the prohibition on alcohol in the 1920s.—
Elaine Mallon,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mooting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mooting. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
