as in disputed
Related Words
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in pondered
to give serious and careful thought to
still debating what to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of debated
Jon McGowan,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Now this may be my most controversial and debated stance about Pride Nights and the LGBTQ movement.
—
Jon Root Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Ahead of the 2026 Met Gala, here's a look back at the iconic event's most daring — and most debated — style moments.
—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
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
Olivia Wakim,
AJC.com,
4 July 2026
Roberts noted that race and citizenship had been fiercely debated in courts, speeches, Congress and battlefields because of Black Americans’ fight for freedom from slavery.
—
ABC News,
2 July 2026
For years, product adoption raced ahead while Congress debated causation and passed no meaningful national protections for children.
—
Ryan McBain,
STAT,
2 July 2026
Members of both parties should treat the CREATE AI Act as a rare chance to pass an AI bill that has already been debated, refined, and proven in pilot form.
—
Neil Björkman,
Fortune,
1 July 2026
For most of the past five years, as the Nasdaq has more than doubled, investors have debated whether technology stocks are in a bubble.
—
Andrew Graham,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
So now there’s something being debated called the REPAIR Act, and that stands for Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair, okay?
—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
1 July 2026
In Egypt, certain pharaohs seemed, for reasons still debated, to tilt their own representations from the ideal to the natural.
—
Cal Revely-Calder,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
The negative environmental impact of such facilities has been hotly debated, with the data centers causing continuous noise and requiring large amounts of electricity and fresh water to maintain.
—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
27 June 2026
Adjective
The most debated issue this week is over AI data centers, with every candidate trying to position themselves as the most against them.
—
Jon McGowan,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Now this may be my most controversial and debated stance about Pride Nights and the LGBTQ movement.
—
Jon Root Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Ahead of the 2026 Met Gala, here's a look back at the iconic event's most daring — and most debated — style moments.
—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
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
Verb
Georgia’s most influential dishes could be debated vigorously, but there’s no question that food has been an integral part of the South’s culture.
—
Olivia Wakim,
AJC.com,
4 July 2026
Roberts noted that race and citizenship had been fiercely debated in courts, speeches, Congress and battlefields because of Black Americans’ fight for freedom from slavery.
—
ABC News,
2 July 2026
For years, product adoption raced ahead while Congress debated causation and passed no meaningful national protections for children.
—
Ryan McBain,
STAT,
2 July 2026
Members of both parties should treat the CREATE AI Act as a rare chance to pass an AI bill that has already been debated, refined, and proven in pilot form.
—
Neil Björkman,
Fortune,
1 July 2026
For most of the past five years, as the Nasdaq has more than doubled, investors have debated whether technology stocks are in a bubble.
—
Andrew Graham,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
So now there’s something being debated called the REPAIR Act, and that stands for Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair, okay?
—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
1 July 2026
In Egypt, certain pharaohs seemed, for reasons still debated, to tilt their own representations from the ideal to the natural.
—
Cal Revely-Calder,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
The negative environmental impact of such facilities has been hotly debated, with the data centers causing continuous noise and requiring large amounts of electricity and fresh water to maintain.
—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
27 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debated
Adjective
-
Salisbury blamed delays in resolving cases in part on a 2021 law that mandates full trial boards in disputed misconduct complaints involving police officers, even for minor disciplinary infractions.
-
When the owner is gone and that information was never recorded anywhere, the asset does not become disputed.
Verb
-
Last week began in a slump as investors pondered whether memory chip maker Micron would show sustained demand in its earnings report.
-
Plunkett, with the Norman Rockwell Museum, pondered whether Americans viewing the painting today would find a familiar feeling.
Verb
-
Teng found a menopause specialist from Midi who discussed the risks and benefits of HRT, and recommended vitamins, supplements, diet and lifestyle changes.
-
Commissioners also discussed Florida’s Live Local Act, which allows qualifying housing developments to bypass certain local zoning regulations.
Adjective
-
In a controversial move, the Department of Education last year decided that certain healthcare studies – such as nursing, physician assistants and physical therapy – were not considered professional programs.
-
One of the most controversial things to happen in sports over the last five to seven years or so is the introduction of jersey ads.
Verb
-
The effect of Greenspan’s artistry was to alter permanently the way the capital markets function, and to extend the Fed’s influence more deeply into the economy than Congress ever contemplated – and certainly far beyond any Constitutional remit.
-
Following the completion of her fifth season, Powell initially contemplated returning for a sixth year as a DCC — but ultimately decided to hang up her boots and retire.
Verb
-
Defense attorneys argued during the trial that the defendants planned a peaceful protest and noise demonstration with fireworks to show support for people detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
-
The defense had argued to delay the hearing, saying in court filings this spring the high volume of discovery meant Robinson’s attorneys would be unable to adequately prepare.
Verb
-
The court's 6-3 ruling, issued Tuesday, June 30, ensures that children born in the country are considered Americans.
-
Legislators last year updated the law to clarify that even if businesses don’t communicate directly but use algorithmic pricing software that leads to them charging a common rate, that could still be considered price-fixing.
Verb
-
Between 2019 and 2024, home values grew faster than incomes for young adults in 142 of 160 metropolitan areas Pew studied.
-
Beyond that, look for someone who has done the work, not just studied it.
Cite this Entry
“Debated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debated. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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