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Definitions

debate

[dih-beyt] / 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:

The debate quickly spilled into readers’ comments on The Times’ coverage of the project.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 13, 2026

We invited him to debate Jeffrey Kessler, co-lead attorney for the athlete plaintiffs in the House case that created this brave new world.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 13, 2026

Even so, physicists have continued to debate whether complex numbers are truly a fundamental part of nature or simply a convenient mathematical tool.

From Science Daily Jul. 13, 2026

In Tuesday’s primary debate, El-Sayed took a dig at Republican candidate Mike Rogers’ campaign posting an AI-enhanced image of their candidate.

From Salon Jul. 13, 2026

Nighthand looked like he might be about to debate that, but Irian raised her eyebrows, and he fell silent.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell

“It’s crazy, ever since we opened, there’s at least four or five subreddit debates about this sandwich,” Grigoryan said.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 13, 2026

The hearing featured lengthy debates over the admissibility of evidence - with media lawyers and Kirk representatives arguing passionately for everything to be displayed publicly or at least in the courtroom.

From BBC Jul. 11, 2026

It then examined these provisions’ original public meaning, gleaned from the Federalist Papers, Constitutional Convention records and state ratifying convention debates.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 6, 2026

Today, those once-bizarre concepts have moved far beyond philosophical debates.

From Science Daily Jul. 5, 2026

A high percentage of the Norfolk Prison Colony inmates went in for “intellectual” things, group discussions, debates, and such.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

The new tranche includes modest income-tax reductions and a commitment to push ahead with previously debated tweaks to the German equivalent of Social Security.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 9, 2026

Whether quantum mechanics applies only to tiny particles or also to larger objects has been debated since the early days of the field.

From Science Daily Jul. 8, 2026

The bill was brought to the assembly floor by Alliance Party MLA Éoin Tennyson, but Stormont politicians have debated the issue of gay conversion practices before.

From BBC Jul. 4, 2026

But Quinones, last season's Saudi Pro League golden boot winner, has been making waves on the left wing - and could cause problems in England's highly debated right-back position in the high Mexican altitute.

From BBC Jul. 3, 2026

And since Las Casas historians, clerics, and political activists have debated whether Europeans and their descendants in the Americas are morally culpable for the enormous Indian losses.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Investors have also been debating whether memory-chip makers can escape their historic boom-bust cycles as AI demand skyrockets.

From MarketWatch Jul. 9, 2026

As a result, scientists spent decades debating between two possible structural models.

From Science Daily Jul. 6, 2026

It could be telling how much Warsh signals his support of other banks’ communication styles, especially with other central bankers debating best practices and how different approaches should evolve.

From Barron's Jul. 1, 2026

The event started with the Crown of Scotland being escorted down the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle before the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland brass ensemble performed a fanfare in the debating chamber.

From BBC Jun. 30, 2026

The captains of the two parties seemed to be bringing up the rear, debating as they went.

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien




Vocabulary lists containing debate


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