Debate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /di-ˈbāt/ de·bate

Meaning & Definition of Debate

Debate (noun)

  1. a contention by words or arguments
  2. a regulated discussion of a proposition between two matched sides
  3. the formal discussion of a motion before a deliberative body according to the rules of parliamentary procedure

Debate (verb)

  1. to argue about
  2. to engage (an opponent) in debate
  3. to turn over in one's mind, to think about (something, such as different options) in order to decide

Debate (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a careful weighing of the reasons for or against something

    "after much debate, I decided to get the chocolate ice cream"

    similar: account, advisement, consideration, deliberation, reflection, study, thought
    related: cogitation, contemplation, meditation, pondering, rumination, introspection, agonizing, hesitation, indecision, premeditation
    near: disregard, neglect, short shrift

  2. variance of opinion on a matter

    "there was a great deal of debate over the need for cutting costs by eliminating some programs"

    similar: contestation, controversy, difference, difficulty, disagreement, disputation, dispute, dissension, dissensus, firestorm, nonconcurrence
    related: clash, collision, conflict, confliction, disaccord, discord, dissonance, apartness, divarication, division, combat, contention, strife, struggle, altercation, argument, bicker, falling-out, fight, kickup, misunderstanding, quarrel, set-to
    opposite: accord, agreement, consensus, harmony, unanimity
    near: acceptance, compliance, concord, peace

  3. 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"

    similar: argument, argumentation, argy-bargy (chiefly British), back-and-forth, colloquy, confab, confabulation, conference, consult, consultation, council, counsel, deliberation, dialogue, discussion, give-and-take, palaver, parley, talk
    related: bull session, chat room, forum, meeting, roundtable, seminar, skull session, symposium, talkathon, chat, conversation, rap, words, discourse, disquisition, bargaining, consultancy, negotiation, pourparler

Debate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to give serious and careful thought to

    "still debating what to do"

    similar: chew over, cogitate, consider, contemplate, deliberate, entertain, eye, kick around, meditate, mull (over), perpend, ponder, pore (over), question, revolve, ruminate, study, think (about or over), turn, weigh, wrestle (with), beat one's brains out (about), chew on, cudgel one's brains (about), look at
    related: muse (upon), reflect (on or upon), reminisce, analyze, explore, review, conclude, reason, second-guess, speculate (about), brood (about or over), dwell (on or upon), fixate (on or upon), fret (about or over), obsess (about or over), believe, conceive, opine, absorb, assimilate, digest, drink (in)
    near: disregard, ignore, overlook, slight, dismiss, pooh-pooh, reject

  2. 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"

    similar: agitate, argue, bandy, bat (around or back and forth), canvass, discuss, dispute, hash (over or out), moot, talk over
    related: review, speak (about), talk (about), broach, introduce, propound, raise, stir up, forge, hammer out, talk out, thrash (out), wrestle (with), chew over, consider, deliberate, weigh

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Debate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Debate:

Chiefly British: argy-bargy
account, advisement, consideration, deliberation, reflection, study, thought, contestation, controversy, difference, difficulty, disagreement, disputation, dispute, dissension, dissensus, firestorm, nonconcurrence, argument, argumentation, back-and-forth, colloquy, confab, confabulation, conference, consult, consultation, council, counsel, dialogue, discussion, give-and-take, palaver, parley, talk, chew over, cogitate, consider, contemplate, deliberate

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Debate

Words with the opposite meaning of Debate:

accord, agreement, consensus, harmony, unanimity

Related Words for Debate

cogitation, contemplation, meditation, pondering, rumination, introspection, agonizing, hesitation, indecision, premeditation, clash, collision, conflict, confliction, disaccord, discord, dissonance, apartness, divarication, division, combat, contention, strife, struggle, altercation, bicker, falling-out, fight, kickup, misunderstanding

Near Antonyms of Debate

disregard, neglect, short shrift, acceptance, compliance, concord, peace, ignore, overlook, slight, dismiss, pooh-pooh, reject

Word Forms of Debate

Inflections: debated, debating

Derived words: debatement (noun), debater (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Debate

Middle English, from Anglo-French debatre, from de- + batre to beat, from Latin battuere

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Debate

Words & Phrases Containing Debate

a matter of debate, open to debate, under debate

Frequently Asked Questions about Debate

What does "Debate" mean?

"Debate" means a contention by words or arguments. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a contention by words or arguments. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Debate"?

Other words for "Debate" include account, advisement, consideration, deliberation, reflection, study, thought and contestation. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Debate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Debate"?

There are 153 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Debate". Common alternatives include account, advisement, consideration, deliberation, reflection, study, thought, contestation, controversy and difference.

What is the opposite of "Debate"?

Antonyms of "Debate" include accord, agreement, consensus, harmony and unanimity. Near antonyms include disregard, neglect, short shrift and acceptance.

How do you use "Debate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Debate" in a sentence: "after much debate, I decided to get the chocolate ice cream"; "there was a great deal of debate over the need for cutting costs by eliminating some programs"; "there was no debate over the expenditures before the vote".

Is "Debate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Debate" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Debate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Debate" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Debate"?

"Debate" is pronounced /di-ˈbāt/ and divided into syllables as de·bate.