View synonyms for debate

debate

[ dih-beyt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints:
a debate in the Senate on farm price supports.
Synonyms: contention, disputation, controversy, argument
a formal contest in which the affirmative and negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers.
deliberation; consideration.
Archaic. strife; contention.

verb (used without object)

, de·bat·ed, de·bat·ing.

to engage in argument or discussion, as in a legislative or public assembly:
When we left, the men were still debating.
Synonyms: contend, dispute
to participate in a formal debate.
to deliberate; consider:
I debated with myself whether to tell them the truth or not.
Obsolete. to fight; quarrel.

verb (used with object)

, de·bat·ed, de·bat·ing.

to argue or discuss (a question, issue, or the like), as in a legislative or public assembly:
They debated the matter of free will.
to dispute or disagree about:
The homeowners debated the value of a road on the island.
to engage in formal argumentation or disputation with (another person, group, etc.):
Jones will debate Smith. Harvard will debate Princeton.
to deliberate upon; consider:
He debated his decision in the matter.
Archaic. to contend for or over.

debate

/ dɪˈbeɪt /

noun

a formal discussion, as in a legislative body, in which opposing arguments are put forward
discussion or dispute
the formal presentation and opposition of a specific motion, followed by a vote

verb

to discuss (a motion), esp in a formal assembly
to deliberate upon (something)
he debated with himself whether to go

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Derived Forms

deˈbater, noun

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Other Words From

de·bater noun
de·bating·ly adverb
inter·de·bate verb interdebated interdebating
nonde·bater noun
nonde·bating adjective
outde·bate verb (used with object) outdebated outdebating
over·de·bate verb overdebated overdebating
postde·bate adjective
prede·bate noun
prede·bater noun
rede·bate noun verb redebated redebating
unde·bated adjective
unde·bating adjective
well-de·bated adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of debate¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (for the verb) Middle English debaten, from Old French debatre, from de- de- + batre “to beat” (from Latin battere, earlier battuere ); noun derivative of the verb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of debate¹

C13: from Old French debatre to discuss, argue, from Latin battuere

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Example Sentences

Throughout the fifties, in city after city, fluoridation became the subject of fierce debate.

From The Daily Beast

Bush busy engaging constituents on both sides of the same-sex marriage debate ahead of the 2004 presidential election.

From The Daily Beast

The debate over who really pulled off the Sony hack, then, could continue indefinitely.

From The Daily Beast

And it must make sure that the platform of debate where we can freely exchange ideas is safe and sound.

From The Daily Beast

They already know the answer, but they know by feigning ignorance they can create all this debate about it.

From The Daily Beast

On the 13th of February the Stamp Act bill was introduced and read for the first time, without debate.

From Project Gutenberg

The Cuban debts and the future of the Philippines were really the knotty points in the entire debate.

From Project Gutenberg

Congress met, and during the debate on the momentous question—peace or war—the hitherto compact group of intransigents weakened.

From Project Gutenberg

He had not started the journey brashly, on impulse, but after debate and discussion with Mandy, his wife.

From Project Gutenberg

The decree of accusation was proposed, and carried, without debate, beneath the poniards of uncounted thousands of assassins.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

debatable debauch

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