debate

n

1. discussion, dispute, disputation, argumentation, polemic, logomachy, war of words; verbal controversy, altercation, wrangle, heated argument, disagreement, dissension, variance, difference of opinion.

2. deliberation, consideration, careful thought, meditation, reflection, contemplation, cogitation.

3. contest, contention, competition, struggle, strife.

v

4. discuss, moot, bandy words, sift, Inf. kick around, Sl. hash over; argue, argue the pros and cons, dispute, contend, contest, question; disagree, dissent, differ, controvert, oppose; spar, cross swords, lock horns, altercate, wrangle.

5. deliberate, consider, think over or on, meditate, reflect on, contemplate, cogitate, ponder, examine a question; think [s.t.] through, reason [s.t.] out, ratiocinate, logicize, explain