Debate vs. Controversy

Debatenoun

An argument, or discussion, usually in an ordered or formal setting, often with more than two people, generally ending with a vote or other decision.

‘After a four-hour debate, the committee voted to table the motion.’;

Controversynoun

A debate, discussion of opposing opinions; strife.

Debatenoun

An informal and spirited but generally civil discussion of opposing views.

‘The debate over the age of the universe is thousands of years old.’; ‘There was a bit of a debate over who should pay for the damaged fence.’;

Controversynoun

Contention; dispute; debate; discussion; agitation of contrary opinions.

‘This left no room for controversy about the title.’; ‘A dispute is commonly oral, and a controversy in writing.’;

Debatenoun

(uncountable) Discussion of opposing views.

‘There has been considerable debate concerning exactly how to format these articles.’;

Controversynoun

Quarrel; strife; cause of variance; difference.

‘The Lord hath a controversy with the nations.’;

Debatenoun

(frequently in the French form débat) A type of literary composition, taking the form of a discussion or disputation, commonly found in the vernacular medieval poetry of many European countries, as well as in medieval Latin.

Controversynoun

A suit in law or equity; a question of right.

‘When any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment.’;

Debatenoun

(obsolete) Strife, discord.

Controversynoun

a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement;

‘they were involved in a violent argument’;

Debateverb

(ambitransitive) To participate in a debate; to dispute, argue, especially in a public arena.

Controversynoun

prolonged public disagreement or heated discussion

‘the design of the building has caused controversy’; ‘the announcement ended a protracted controversy’;

Debateverb

To fight.

Controversy

Controversy is a state of prolonged public dispute or debate, usually concerning a matter of conflicting opinion or point of view. The word was coined from the Latin controversia, as a composite of controversus – .

‘turned in an opposite direction’;

Debateverb

To engage in combat for; to strive for.

Debateverb

(transitive) To consider (to oneself), to think over, to attempt to decide

Debateverb

To engage in combat for; to strive for.

‘Volunteers . . . thronged to serve under his banner, and the cause of religion was debated with the same ardor in Spain as on the plains of Palestine.’;

Debateverb

To contend for in words or arguments; to strive to maintain by reasoning; to dispute; to contest; to discuss; to argue for and against.

‘A wise council . . . that did debate this business.’; ‘Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself.’;

Debateverb

To engage in strife or combat; to fight.

‘Well could he tourney and in lists debate.’;

Debateverb

To contend in words; to dispute; hence, to deliberate; to consider; to discuss or examine different arguments in the mind; - often followed by on or upon.

‘He presents that great soul debating upon the subject of life and death with his intimate friends.’;

Debatenoun

A fight or fighting; contest; strife.

‘On the day of the Trinity next ensuing was a great debate . . . and in that murder there were slain . . . fourscore.’; ‘But question fierce and proud replyGave signal soon of dire debate.’;

Debatenoun

Contention in words or arguments; discussion for the purpose of elucidating truth or influencing action; strife in argument; controversy; as, the debates in Parliament or in Congress.

‘Heard, noted, answer'd, as in full debate.’;

Debatenoun

Subject of discussion.

‘Statutes and edicts concerning this debate.’;

Debatenoun

a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal;

‘the argument over foreign aid goes on and on’;

Debatenoun

the formal presentation of and opposition to a stated proposition (usually followed by a vote)

Debateverb

argue with one another;

‘We debated the question of abortion’; ‘John debated Mary’;

Debateverb

think about carefully; weigh;

‘They considered the possibility of a strike’; ‘Turn the proposal over in your mind’;

Debateverb

discuss the pros and cons of an issue

Debateverb

have an argument about something

Debatenoun

a formal discussion on a particular matter in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which opposing arguments are put forward and which usually ends with a vote

‘last night's debate on the Education Bill’;

Debatenoun

an argument about a particular subject, especially one in which many people are involved

‘there has been much debate about prices’; ‘the national debate on abortion’;

Debateverb

argue about (a subject), especially in a formal manner

‘MPs debated the issue in the Commons’; ‘members of the society debated for five nights’;

Debateverb

consider a possible course of action in one's mind before reaching a decision

‘he debated whether he should leave the matter alone or speak to her’;

Debate

Debate is a process that involves formal discourse on a particular topic. In a debate, arguments are put forward for often opposing viewpoints.