DEBATE Synonyms: 176 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'debate' contrast with its synonyms?

The words argue and discuss are common synonyms of debate . While all three words mean "to discourse about in order to reach conclusions or to convince," 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

Q: Where would 'argue' be a reasonable alternative to 'debate'?

In some situations, the words argue and debate are roughly equivalent. However, argue implies the offering of reasons or evidence in support of convictions already held. // argued that the project would be too costly

Q: When can 'discuss' be used instead of 'debate'?

The words discuss and debate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, discuss implies a sifting of possibilities especially by presenting considerations pro and con. // discussed the need for a new highway

debate 1 of 2

noun

di-ˈbāt

Definition of debate

as in consideration

a careful weighing of the reasons for or against something after much debate, I decided to get the chocolate ice cream

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in controversy

variance of opinion on a matter there was a great deal of debate over the need for cutting costs by eliminating some programs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in discussion

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

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debate

2 of 2

verb

as in to ponder

to give serious and careful thought to still debating what to do

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to discuss

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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How does the verb debate contrast with its synonyms?

The words argue and discuss are common synonyms of debate. While all three words mean "to discourse about in order to reach conclusions or to convince," 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

Where would argue be a reasonable alternative to debate?

In some situations, the words argue and debate are roughly equivalent. However, argue implies the offering of reasons or evidence in support of convictions already held.

argued that the project would be too costly

When can discuss be used instead of debate?

The words discuss and debate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, discuss implies a sifting of possibilities especially by presenting considerations pro and con.

discussed the need for a new highway

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 debate

Noun

Guidance Tweak The future size of long-bond sales has been the subject of debate over the last week, after Treasury officials made an unanticipated tweak to their latest quarterly borrowing policy statement. — Greg Ritchie, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026 Last month’s vote by a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel to ease peptide accessibility restrictions has sparked debate over the safety of this unproven class of therapeutics. — Lyndon Haviland, Washington Post, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

Whether a viewer is looking to debate a plot point with friends or argue over their favorite character, the writer-director is just happy people are talking about the series. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026 Astronomers still debate the effects this will have on Earth—likely minimal, given its distance. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for debate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for debate

Noun

But others warrant consideration over the season’s final six weeks.

— Will Sammon, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Kurz said that the field team put careful consideration into selecting each site.

— John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of consideration

Noun

Some controversy arose when New Hampshire was not proposed to be in the first spot, despite a state law requiring the state hold first-in-the-nation primaries.

— Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
The delay is considered the first controversy of the country’s new government, led by conservative President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office on Friday.

— Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of controversy

Verb

Though not outright as conceptual as its predecessors, La Nueva Violencia leaves room to ponder celebrity overexposure and the mind-warping effects of the content age.

— Richard Villegas, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026
Instead, the fast-casual restaurant chain's CEO and co-founder woke up pondering the country's ongoing cyclospora outbreak.

— Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of ponder

Verb

In those entries, Fauci discussed his views on the origins of the coronavirus — a topic Paul has accused Fauci of issuing misleading statements on, which Fauci has long denied.

— Joe Walsh, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Mangione's lawyers and federal prosecutors in Manhattan also discussed a possible guilty plea in his federal case in June, sources previously told ABC News.

— Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of discuss

Noun

His federal trial in June ended in a mistrial after nearly 13 hours of deliberations, with jurors split 10 in favor of not guilty and two in favor of guilty, unable to come to a unanimous decision.

— Sierra van der Brug, Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
These officials, who have spoken on condition of anonymity to discuss internal administration deliberations, have said on multiple occasions that Rubio’s limited response was intentionally designed to give Lula time and space to back down.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of deliberation

Noun

The release of Fauci's text messages could further rekindle a yearslong dispute between Fauci and congressional Republicans about how the federal government's former top infectious disease expert responded to the coronavirus pandemic.

— Joe Walsh, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Creditors rarely challenge such plans because most disputes are resolved earlier.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of dispute

Noun

Earlier this week, the EFL confirmed it had been served with legal proceedings by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) over changes enacted in League One, with the PFA citing insufficient consultation on the rule amendments.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Diplomatic efforts today too often grant the Taliban a formal place at the table while limiting contact with Afghan women to informal consultations.

— Rina Amiri, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of consultation

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debatable

debate

debated

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“Debate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debate. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of debate

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verb

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