debating

VERB

argue, discuss

Synonyms

STRONGEST

answer bicker consider contest deliberate oppose question wrangle

STRONG

agitate altercate bandy canvass cogitate confab confute contend controvert demonstrate differ disprove dispute hassle moot pettifog prove reason rebut refute rehash

WEAK

bump heads chew the fat cross swords discept hammer away at hash over have at it kick around knock around lock horns pick a bone put up argument set to talk back talk game thrash out toss around

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agree

STRONG

endorse give in go along harmonize make peace

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.

Debating this event years afterwards, a friend told me the British shouldn’t have killed the Iranian terrorists.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

Mehdi Hasan’s “Win Every Argument: The Art of Debating, Persuading, and Public Speaking” is an excellent resource for understanding your audience and communicating effectively.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

Debating whether the England or South Africa loss was more degrading for Welsh rugby seems futile.

From BBC • Nov. 30, 2025

Debating what the new team should be called has been a San Francisco pastime since Oct.

From New York Times • May 14, 2024

Henry was president of the Senior Debating Society, the only extracurricular activity he had time for, and Jean Louise was a fat fourteen, immersed in Victorian poetry and detective novels.

From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee