debated 1 of 2

adjective

as in disputed

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debated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of debate
1
as in pondered
to give serious and careful thought to still debating what to do

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discussed
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

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 debated
Adjective
In any case, the moment quickly became one of the most debated events in rock history. — Kara Rogers Britannica Editors July 16, Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 July 2026 The most debated issue this week is over AI data centers, with every candidate trying to position themselves as the most against them. — Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 Now this may be my most controversial and debated stance about Pride Nights and the LGBTQ movement. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026 Ahead of the 2026 Met Gala, here's a look back at the iconic event's most daring — and most debated — style moments. — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026 The most controversial and debated article on Mint Press News is about the use of chemical agents in the Syrian civil war. — Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026 The trade, approved under new team governor Patrick Dumont, has remained one of the most debated moves in recent NBA history, according to sports analysts, with lingering questions about communication within the organization and the long-term direction of the franchise. — Sergio Candido, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026 The referendum centers on long debated reforms aimed at reshaping the structure of Italy’s judiciary. — ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026 Safety aspects of autonomous vehicles remain debated, but industry groups claim the technology could reduce road fatalities by removing human error from driving. — Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
According to the blunt John Adams, the American Revolution began before the war with Britain, in the people’s minds and hearts, and Arendt situated those shifts in American town councils where citizens had debated local affairs. — David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 The research on this topic is extensive and widely debated, but a 2026 study has re-modelled a global individualism-collectivism scale to measure where each country falls. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026 For 15 years, dozens of American lawmakers have had the opportunity to see one of the country's most important — and increasingly debated — alliances firsthand. — Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026 The federal government should not determine what faculty may research, what students may believe, what ideas may be debated in classrooms, or what conclusions scholars may reach. — David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Only one set of Canadian rocks might date back to this time in Earth’s history—but their provenance is hotly debated, and otherwise, geological evidence is sparse. — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026 While Amendment 5 was fiercely debated by political figures in both parties, including with millions of dollars in advertising, voters across the state firmly rejected the measure. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026 Multiple state legislatures have introduced and debated moratoriums on data center development, including lawmakers in Virginia, which currently hosts the largest US data center market. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2026 Casinos' impact on tribal health has been debated in research for decades. — Andrew Jones, NPR, 30 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debated
  1. disputed
  2. pondered
  3. discussed
  4. controversial
  5. contemplated
  6. argued
  7. considered
  8. studied
Adjective
  • Ask whether the methodology is published in enough detail to reproduce, and who arbitrates a disputed grade.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The investigation began nearly two months after Sessions supplemented his disputed testimony and was initially based on a letter from two Democratic senators.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of disputed
Verb
  • In a July 2025 text chain, an agent pondered whether facial recognition tools could be used to identify people on TikTok who admitted to being in the country illegally.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
  • In a July interview with Rolling Stone, Foreman pondered why his story went viral.
    — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2026
Definition of pondered
Verb
  • During his time on Miller’s podcast, the secretary also discussed fatherhood and conspiracy theories.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Officials also discussed a $10 million replacement for the municipal golf course clubhouse and a potential $6 million replacement for the Parkwood Pool.
    — Sofi Zeman August 11, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of discussed
Adjective
  • The fallout from that controversial attempt has divided the soccer landscape, with continental confederations and individual national associations all split on whether a change in FIFA leadership is needed.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • This curved, laughing hyena is a reference to the Laffer Curve, a famous — and controversial — economic theory named after economist Arthur Laffer.
    — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of controversial
Verb
  • As a result, every year thousands of students who had contemplated teaching or pharmacy or public service become accidental financiers.
    — Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • But the revolt imperiled Infantino, as Europe contemplated replacing him with Nasser Al-Khelaifi, a hugely influential figure in European club soccer.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of contemplated
Verb
  • But Craig's supporters have argued that the four-term congresswoman is the more electable candidate, especially as Flanagan has been tied to the Minnesota governor's handling of the multimillion-dollar fraud schemes in the state.
    — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • That connection is ultimately what put Tupac’s life in jeopardy, Davis argued in the book Compton Street Legend, which has become a key piece of evidence in the case against him.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of argued
Verb
  • But the race started to take a completely different shape in July, when Crowley dropped his bid and threw his support behind Rodriguez, who was considered more of an establishment candidate.
    — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • This history means Yellowstone is considered active rather than extinct.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of considered
Verb
  • After graduating from Proviso West High School, Norris studied at Triton College while working as a secretary.
    — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • To scientists, the idea that the link between vaccines and autism simply hasn’t been studied enough – as Kennedy often claims – is astounding.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of studied

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Cite this Entry

“Debated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debated. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of debated for Spanish Speakers

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