DEBATES Synonyms: 175 Similar and Opposite Words

debates 1 of 2

noun

plural of debate

as in deliberations

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

short shrifts

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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debates

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of debate

as in studies

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 debates

Noun

Blackburn declined in July to participate in any debates, and Rose backed out when it was set to be only him and Fritts on stage. — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 Larkin has used Moskowitz’s refusal to appear with him to accuse the reelection-seeking congressman of ducking debates and avoiding the voters. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026 The video went viral, prompting a presidential hospital visit and igniting right-to-die debates in the country. — Vanessa Rampton, STAT, 5 Aug. 2026 Skubal's comments get to the heart of one of baseball's most predictable debates. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Ahead of all the debates and networking, Duffner took time to talk to THR about the return of the Locarno Investment Community for its second year, the choice of Uruguay, the hot issues in focus and why AI will be touched on throughout the program. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026 In recent quarters, one of the debates surrounding Starbucks centered on whether Niccol's Back to Starbucks plan would start translating into an improved bottom line. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026 But the party’s past debates over crime and safety threaten to undermine that pitch. — ABC News, 31 July 2026 That finding arrives in the middle of one of the most fractured debates in economics right now — one where even the people building the AI systems can’t agree on what their own data shows. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 July 2026

Verb

Nvidia is heading up a new alliance of tech industry giants focused on keeping open-source AI models secure as Washington debates how and whether to restrict them. — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 27 July 2026 The ’Obsession’ And ’Backrooms’ Lesson While Hollywood debates the merger, two films arrived that reframed what’s possible. — Ashlee Difuntorum, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 The post lands as Washington debates whether to restrict Chinese open-weight models like Moonshot AI’s Kimi K3, which was released July 16 and ranks among the most capable models anywhere. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 July 2026 However, Ryan McCormick, co-founder of Goldman McCormick PR, told Fox News Digital that debates over historical accuracy are unlikely to deter most moviegoers. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2026 Paxton’s campaign declined to elaborate on which debates Paxton plans to participate in and whether they’ll be televised. — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026 While the country debates its own past, Stan Franklin was at the memorial thinking about its future. — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 2 July 2026 As Congress debates the transportation bill, Oklahoma’s future may depend on more than roads. — Stephen Martin, Oklahoma Watch, 28 June 2026 But also debates within the Labour Party, the state of the polls, the development of public opinion, and the success or otherwise of the government in generating growth by other means. — Anand Menon, Time, 13 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for debates

Noun

During jury deliberations, Tupac dropped by a New York recording studio at the invitation of a producer to contribute to a track.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Both lawyers were also involved in deliberations surrounding the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of deliberations

Noun

Often ignored in discussions about drought, fire, and climate change in general, are the world’s oceans, which are warming just as the air is.

— John Vaillant, Time, 8 Aug. 2026
Iran and Oman have been in discussions for several days about a management plan for the Strait of Hormuz, which has emerged as the focal point of the ongoing war between the US and the Islamic Republic.

— Bloomberg, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of discussions

Verb

There are regulations around laboratory safety, biological research, genetic modifications and work with dangerous pathogens, says Filippa Lentzos, an associate professor who studies biosecurity at King’s College London.

— Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026
When a fan sees an idol’s skin, watches a routine, studies a product list, compares ingredients and sees creators repeat the same steps, the product is no longer an isolated SKU.

— Darko Pavic, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of studies

Verb

What else is going on Commentary and opinions Columnist LZ Granderson discusses Senate Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed and how his criticism has more to do with identity rather than his politics.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
This article discusses mobile wound care and primary care services provided by ADA Family Health Clinic across Texas and Louisiana.

— Nia Bowers, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of discusses

Noun

Iran and Oman, neighbors across the Strait of Hormuz, have been negotiating an agreement on how to manage traffic through the waterway, including considerations of a toll fee.

— Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 9 Aug. 2026
Acquired Braden Shewmake from the Houston Astros for cash considerations.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of considerations

Noun

In contrast, Canada offers a patchwork of programs, credits and consultations, which are layered onto higher taxes, scarce capital and sluggish policy-making.

— Karia Samaroo, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026
His office in Stanhope and Hoboken serves multiple cities and towns in the greater New Jersey area, and offers remote consultations, clear post-operative instructions, and a willingness to work with various insurance plans.

— Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of consultations

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debaters

debates

debating

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Style

“Debates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debates. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of debates

noun

verb

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