Synonyms for debate
- noun
- verb
Most common
discussion argument dispute controversy disputation declamation
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Argument
argument, controversy, discussion, dispute, discourse, question, contest, palaver, argumentation, fight, altercation, contention, talk, contestation, quarrel, war of words, reason, struggle, wrangle, logomachy rare
Other
Verb
2. Contend — to participate in a debate; to dispute, argue, especially in a public arena
Other
talk over, declaim, controvert rare
Definitions
- n. 1
An argument, or discussion, usually in an ordered or formal setting, often with more than two people, generally ending with a vote or other decision.
After a four-hour debate, the committee voted to table the motion.
- v. 1
To participate in a debate; to dispute, argue, especially in a public arena.
"Debate me, coward!" snarled the completely normal intellectual.
- v. 2
To consider (to oneself), to think over, to attempt to decide
He was debating where he'd spend his holiday.
Related words
- Word family
- debatability debatable debater debation debatelord
- Phrases
- debate bro
Choose the right word
An individual considers, meditates, ponders, reflects, by himself; he weighs a matter in his own mind, and is sometimes said even to debate with himself. Consult and confer always imply two or more persons, as does debate, unless expressly limited as above.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- discussion A discussion of the proposal seems to be in order.
- argument No one could get the better of him in an argument.
- dispute Go is a game of dispute and conquest of territory.
- controversy She has waded into one controversy after another.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| debate | rising | |
| discussion | steady | |
| argument | steady | |
| dispute | steady | |
| controversy | falling | |
| disputation | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- talk1, moot1
- 5 letters
- study2, fight1, argue2, fence1
- 6 letters
- reason2
- 7 letters
- discuss2, contest2, dispute2, examine3, contend2, quarrel2, canvass2, wrangle2, agitate3, palaver, declaim2
- 8 letters
- question2, consider3, argument3, struggle2
- 9 letters
- discourse2, ventilate3, logomachy
- 10 letters
- discussion3, deliberate4, contention3, controvert
- 11 letters
- controversy4, altercation4, disputation4, declamation
- 12 letters
- contestation
- 13 letters
- argumentation5
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (study2 = 2 syllables).