debates 1 of 2

noun

Definition of debatesnext
plural of debate
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

debates

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of debate
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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for debates
  1. deliberations
  2. controversies
  3. discussions
  4. discusses
  5. considerations
  6. consultations
  7. argues
  8. disagreements
Noun
  • But defending Stephanopoulos’ statements may have been more fraught, according to people familiar with Disney’s internal deliberations.
    Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
  • The mindset driving their deliberations is a focus on results and speed.
    Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of deliberations
Noun
  • That means the lower courts will have the final say on many important controversies.
    Carrie Johnson, NPR, 3 Jan. 2025
  • Chiles won team gold at the Paris Olympics but became embroiled in one of the biggest controversies of the Games when she was instructed to give up her individual floor exercise bronze medal to Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu after a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
    Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of controversies
Noun
  • Authentic leaders take a coaching approach to one-on-one discussions.
    William Arruda, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
  • To effectively cut through the clutter strewn about in far too many Jackson-Allen discussions, Zrebiec and Graham limit their talking points to the 2024 campaign.
    Tim Graham, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of discussions
Verb
  • Smith, a mental-health counselor and flower-essence therapist, discusses prayer as a method for finding language that resonates with our intentions.
    Kristin Auble, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2024
  • General manager Ryan Poles listens as Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren discusses the team’s coaching search during a news conference at Halas Hall.
    Jon Greenberg, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
Definition of discusses
Noun
  • This sounds simple, but there are many considerations, including addressing risks such as bias and ethical issues.
    Lutz Finger, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
  • Moreover, preserving open dialogue, ethical considerations, and collaboration will be vital as organizations navigate the balance between innovation and tradition.
    Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 4 Jan. 2025
Definition of considerations
Noun
  • If some of these steps begin to bear fruit, consultations could begin on multiple tracks.
    Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Making a Difference Daniel Alain customers often fly to the brand’s picturesque Newport Beach, CA headquarters for personal consultations before making a purchase.
    Dahvi Shira, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Definition of consultations
Verb
  • White argues that the crypto industry has become a re-creation of much of what its original ideology claimed to despise.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
  • But Vanessa Cho, design partner at GV, Alphabet’s venture capital division, argues that’s the wrong way for founders to think about design.
    Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 10 Dec. 2024
Definition of argues
Noun
  • Economic progress is the happy end result of disagreements expressed.
    John Tamny, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Despite disagreements with Martin over the party platform, Engelhart said Martin is the best candidate in the running.
    Dana Ferguson, NPR, 26 Dec. 2024
Definition of disagreements
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near debates

debaters

debates

debating

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Cite this Entry

“Debates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debates. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on debates

Nglish: Translation of debates for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of debates for Arabic Speakers

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