Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
debate (noun) a contention by words or arguments as
a) the formal discussion of a motion before a deliberative body according to the rules of parliamentary procedure
b) a regulated discussion of a proposition between two matched sides
intransitive verb
1.
obsolete - fight contend
2.
a) to contend in words
b) to discuss a question by considering opposed arguments
3.
transitive verb
to participate in a debate
1.
a) to argue about - the subject was hotly debated
b) to engage (an opponent) in debate
2.
to turn over in one's mind - he's still debating what to do discuss
Merriam-Webster Online Thesaurus
debate (noun)1.
a careful weighing of the reasons for or against something
SYNONIMS:
account, advisement, debate, deliberation, reflection, study, thoughtRELATED WORDS:
cogitation, contemplation, meditation, pondering, rumination; introspection; agonizing, hesitation, indecision; premeditation2.
variance of opinion on a matter
SYNONIMS:
contestation, controversy, debate, difference, difficulty, disputation, dispute, dissension ( dissention), dissensus, firestorm, nonconcurrenceRELATED 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-toNEAR ANTONYMS:
acceptance, compliance; concord, peace3.
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue
SYNONIMS:
argument, argumentation, argy-bargy, back-and-forth, colloquy, confab, confabulation, conference, consult, consultation, council, counsel, debate, deliberation, dialogue ( dialog), give-and-take, palaver, parley, talkRELATED WORDS:
bull session, chat room, forum, meeting, powwow, roundtable, seminar, skull session ( skull practice), symposium, talkathon; chat, conversation, rap, words; discourse, disquisition; bargaining, consultancy, negotiation, pourparler1.
to give serious and careful thought to
SYNONIMS:
chew over, cogitate, consider, contemplate, debate, deliberate, entertain, eye, kick around, meditate, mull (over), perpend, pore (over), question, revolve, ruminate, study, think (about over), turn, weigh, wrestle (with)RELATED WORDS:
muse (upon), reflect (on upon), reminisce; analyze, explore, review; conclude, reason; second-guess, speculate (about); brood (about over), dwell (on upon), fixate (on upon), fret (about over), obsess (about over); believe, conceive, opine; absorb, assimilate, digest, drink (in)NEAR ANTONYMS:
disregard, ignore, overlook, slight; dismiss, pooh-pooh ( pooh), reject2.
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion
SYNONIMS:
agitate, argue, bandy, bat (around back and forth), canvass ( canvas), debate, dispute, hash (over out), moot, talk overRELATED WORDS:
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