as in disputed
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1
as in pondered
to give serious and careful thought to
still debating what to do
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discussed
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion
we debated the advantages versus the disadvantages of the proposed waterfront development
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of debated
Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
The trade, approved under new team governor Patrick Dumont, has remained one of the most debated moves in recent NBA history, according to sports analysts, with lingering questions about communication within the organization and the long-term direction of the franchise.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
The referendum centers on long debated reforms aimed at reshaping the structure of Italy’s judiciary.
—ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Safety aspects of autonomous vehicles remain debated, but industry groups claim the technology could reduce road fatalities by removing human error from driving.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2026
Actor Jeff Daniels ran out of jelly one day, reached for barbecue sauce instead, and accidentally created one of the most debated sandwiches on the internet.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
That balance of a decades-old history and a new brand’s need to establish itself in its own right shapes the leadership challenge facing Strazik, who joined GE in 2000 when it was still led by Jack Welch, one of the defining — and most debated — business leaders of the 20th century.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
As one of Cohen's most frequent guests on his late-night talk show Watch What Happens Live, Rapaport has generated some of its most viral and debated moments, like a fiery 2018 spat between the actor and Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Jan. 2026
Dogs are believed to descend from ancient gray wolves, though the exact wolf populations that gave rise to them remain debated.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
While city leaders debated how to restructure the system, LAHSA employees said the uncertainty is already taking a toll.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
For months, the city council had also debated the possibility of extending alcohol hours past midnight, echoing Kissimmee, but ultimately the council voted to keep the same hours.
—Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
During the homeowners meeting, attendees debated what a fair buyout would entail.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Bills proposed by backbenchers can only be debated on a Friday, limiting the time available.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
The bill is expected to be debated on the Senate floor on Monday.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
From the start, experts have debated whether the unusually large group of chimps would split.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
Overall, the reasons for the decline are still debated.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The most controversial and debated article on Mint Press News is about the use of chemical agents in the Syrian civil war.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
The trade, approved under new team governor Patrick Dumont, has remained one of the most debated moves in recent NBA history, according to sports analysts, with lingering questions about communication within the organization and the long-term direction of the franchise.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
The referendum centers on long debated reforms aimed at reshaping the structure of Italy’s judiciary.
—ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Safety aspects of autonomous vehicles remain debated, but industry groups claim the technology could reduce road fatalities by removing human error from driving.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2026
Actor Jeff Daniels ran out of jelly one day, reached for barbecue sauce instead, and accidentally created one of the most debated sandwiches on the internet.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
That balance of a decades-old history and a new brand’s need to establish itself in its own right shapes the leadership challenge facing Strazik, who joined GE in 2000 when it was still led by Jack Welch, one of the defining — and most debated — business leaders of the 20th century.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
As one of Cohen's most frequent guests on his late-night talk show Watch What Happens Live, Rapaport has generated some of its most viral and debated moments, like a fiery 2018 spat between the actor and Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Jan. 2026
Dogs are believed to descend from ancient gray wolves, though the exact wolf populations that gave rise to them remain debated.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
As a freshman, Sammy qualified for and debated in the 2025 NSDA National Tournament in Policy Debate, held in Des Moines, Iowa.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
While city leaders debated how to restructure the system, LAHSA employees said the uncertainty is already taking a toll.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
For months, the city council had also debated the possibility of extending alcohol hours past midnight, echoing Kissimmee, but ultimately the council voted to keep the same hours.
—Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
During the homeowners meeting, attendees debated what a fair buyout would entail.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Bills proposed by backbenchers can only be debated on a Friday, limiting the time available.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
The bill is expected to be debated on the Senate floor on Monday.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
From the start, experts have debated whether the unusually large group of chimps would split.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
Overall, the reasons for the decline are still debated.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debated
Adjective
-
There was violence after the disputed 2025 reelection of 92-year-old Cameroonian President Paul Biya, who first came to power in 1982.—
Mathew Schmalz,
The Conversation,
9 Apr. 2026
-
After Thompson’s testimony, Muscolino called witnesses, which included city workers, who testified against George’s claim to owning the disputed roadway.—
Kyle Martin,
Mercury News,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The philosopher Biggie Smalls once pondered the nature of dangerously escalating rivalries.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Standing alone in a Swedish laundromat, Alfie Whiteman set a 10-second timer on his camera and pondered what to do next.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At a closed-door conference on April 28, the court and participants discussed the user experience, revealing that several bugs and hurdles remain.—
Kate Nishimura,
Footwear News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Bass’ office and Airbnb didn’t respond when asked whether that was the amount being discussed, but opponents have seized on that figure.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Gregory Bovino, the controversial head of aggressive enforcement activities in Chicago and Minneapolis, resigned from the agency.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
But let’s set aside the fact for a moment that a sequel might not include some of Jackson’s biggest hits and would instead focus on a controversial moment in the singer’s life that his estate may be unwilling or unable to explore.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Leonard’s deal with Aspiration occurred as Ballmer invested in the company and as the Clippers and Aspiration signed deals that contemplated a $300 million partnership for Aspiration to sponsor the Clippers’ arena and the team’s jersey patch.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The presence of the Sussexes would detract from that, and so, it cannot be contemplated.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Both France and Padres manager Craig Stammen argued the call and replays seemed to clearly show the base of the ball was entirely in foul ground.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The trust has said that recognizes the need for a larger meeting space at the White House, but argued that only Congress could authorize it.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After making his way back to the bench early in the fourth, Wagner was considered questionable to return due to a right calf strain.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Lung cancer is considered the leading cause of cancer deaths across the country, according to the American Lung Association.—
Marcella Baietto,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The geological formation has been studied for decades, and that long record of scientific interest shapes how the company describes its role.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
For years, researchers have studied endocasts of Neanderthal skulls, trying to piece together how their brains were different or similar to ours.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debated. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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