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
- to dispute about, esp. in a meeting or legislature
- to argue (a question) or argue with (a person) formally
- to consider reasons for and against; deliberate on
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.
debate
n.
debate
v.
Antonyms
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?
Nasce da questo una disputa: s'egli e' meglio essere amato che temuto, o e' converso. Rispondesi che si vorebbe essere l'uno e l'altro; ma perche¤ egli e' difficile accozzarli insieme, e' molto pi u' sicuro essere temuto che amato, quando si abbia a mancare dell'uno de'due. Thisleadstoa debate: isit better to be loved thanfeared, or the reverse? The answer is that it is desirable to be both, but because it is difficult to join them together, it is much safer fora prince to be feared than loved, if he isto fail in one of the two.
Browse dictionary entries near debate
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