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Definitions

debate

[dih-bayt] / dɪˈbeɪt /




Usage

What are other ways to say debate? To debate is to interchange formal (usually opposing) arguments, especially on public questions: to debate a proposed amendment. To argue is to present one's reasons: The scientists argued for a safer testing procedure; it may also imply disputing in an angry or excited way: His parents argue all the time. To discuss is to present varied opinions and views: to discuss ways and means. 

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

That’s because you’ve got debate fever, suffering reader.

From Slate ● Oct. 10, 2026

Every motion submitted to conference undergoes debate and no single interest group drives policy.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

Pike's stunning survival renewed focus on the ethical debate surrounding capital punishment in the United States.

From Barron's ● Oct. 10, 2026

The debate has resurfaced after the Premier League announced last week that an independent commission had found the club guilty on more than 100 charges of breaking financial rules.

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

And all parties to the debate seemed to believe that history, as well as the future, was on their side.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

We didn’t notice any blow-ups of such magnitude in the debates we watched this week.

From Slate ● Oct. 10, 2026

He and Hilton faced off last week in an hourlong debate on CNN but no other debates have been announced.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

As part of the programme, the young politicians are allowed to hold debates in the House of Commons chamber, on a day when MPs are not sitting, once a year.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

Rising living costs, low wages, strains on the healthcare system and long-term population decline all feature prominently in campaign debates.

From Barron's ● Oct. 3, 2026

Dad, who usually liked debates on questions such as whether a bag of things is one thing, was not in the mood and told me the rocks were too heavy.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

Additionally, readers should note that historical net-worth estimates are often debated due to differences in record-keeping and varying valuation methods.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2026

Several labelling schemes, including from Britain, France and Germany, were being showcased at the world's biggest book industry fair in Frankfurt this week, where the challenges posed by AI were hotly debated.

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

At the same time, officials in the office debated filing a claim against the state to argue that the overpayments were not the fault of the employees, according to the audit.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

About a dozen OpenAI staffers internally debated whether to take action on Van Rootselaar’s posts, but the company’s leaders ultimately decided not to contact authorities.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

I debated whether or not to go to the bathroom to brush my teeth.

From "Winger" by Andrew Smith

And Becerra, who’s made himself exceedingly scarce, is stepping up and debating, as he should.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

Now, Jenner is seemingly once again debating selling the home, with property records revealing that it has once again been swiped off the market, Realtor.com can exclusively reveal.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026

But, they’re now debating how to handle 2026.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

"Brazil spent years debating how to regulate sports betting," the club said in a statement.

From Barron's ● Sep. 25, 2026

‘I wonder if you are being very brave,’ he said quiedy after a moment, as if he was debating the matter in his head, ‘rather than merely disrespectful. Perhaps that’s not such a bad thing.’

From "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" by John Boyne




Vocabulary lists containing debate


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