debate

de·bate (dē bāt′, di-)

intransitive verb -·bat′ed, -·bat′·ing

to discuss opposing reasons; argue
to take part in a formal discussion or a contest in which opposing sides of a question are argued
to deliberate (with oneself or in one's own mind)
Obsolete to fight or quarrel

Etymology: ME debaten < OFr debatre, to fight, contend, debate: see de- & batter

transitive verb

noun

discussion or consideration of opposing reasons; argument about or deliberation on a question
a formal contest of skill in reasoned argument, with two teams taking opposite sides of a specified question
the art or study of formal debate

Etymology: ME & OFr debat < the v.

de·bat′er noun

argue, discuss, confute, refute, controvert, oppose, question, contend, contest, reason, wrangle, answer, ponder, weigh, differ, dispute, engage in oral discussion, argue the pros and cons of, hold a confab*, jaw*, chew the fat*, cross verbal swords*, moot*, bandy*; see also argue 1, discuss.

Antonyms agree*, concur*, concede. See syn. study at discuss.discuss.

Object

merit: BRANNIGAN: My Lord, my learned friend and myself were debating the merits of that.
issue: We need to find new ways of engaging citizens in debating local issues that affect them, " she said.

Converse of object

stimulate: In order to whet your appetite, some issues are set out below which, it is hoped, will stimulate debate.
provoke: It is certain to provoke debate and discussion, not least about how and why certain films enter the nation's consciousness.
spark: Page 8: We go live: browse our new web site; Prodi speech sparks web debate on EU's future.
inform: The research proposed here will inform debates on the effectiveness of these changes.
initiate: Member for Manchester, Withington initiated the debate and we have only 30 minutes for it.
stifle: Melanie Phillips argues that the purpose of Labor's attack is to " stifle debate " .

Adjective modifier

lively: There then followed some lively debate about the differences.
heated: Carnivore has been the subject of heated debate over the past year.
parliamentary: However, MSPs are still able to speak in any language in parliamentary debates.
informed: It seeks to foster detailed research and informed debate on international conflict, both historical and contemporary.
ongoing: There is an ongoing debate about whether the Scottish criminal law should be codified.
public: The public debate in the UK is very limited.

Preposition: on

forum: Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.
motion: There will be a debate on an Opposition motion in the name of the Liberal Democrats.

Modifying Another Word

hotly: This has long been a hotly debated topic, especially in college sports.

Modifies a noun

rage: But debate rages as to what qualities the winning play should have.

Noun used with modifier

adjournment: Indeed, I raised the issue during an Adjournment debate in Westminster Hall last month.
abortion: The ethical issues surrounding therapeutic cloning are similar in some ways to the abortion debate; that is when does personhood start?

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