debate

debate

noun

Definition of DEBATE

1

a careful weighing of the reasons for or against something <after much debate, I decided to get the chocolate ice cream>

Synonyms account, advisement, debate, deliberation, reflection, study, thought

Related Words cogitation, contemplation, meditation, pondering, rumination; introspection; agonizing, hesitation, indecision; premeditation

Antonyms 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>

Synonyms contestation, controversy, debate, difference, difficulty, disputation, dispute, dissension (also dissention), dissensus, firestorm, nonconcurrence

Related Words 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

Near Antonyms acceptance, compliance; concord, peace

Antonyms accord, agreement, consensus, harmony, unanimity

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>

Synonyms argument, argumentation, argy-bargy [chiefly British], back-and-forth, colloquy, confab, confabulation, conference, consult, consultation, council, counsel, debate, deliberation, dialogue (also dialog), give-and-take, palaver, parley, talk

Related Words bull session, chat room, forum, meeting, powwow, roundtable, seminar, skull session (also skull practice), symposium, talkathon; chat, conversation, rap, words; discourse, disquisition; bargaining, consultancy, negotiation, pourparler