a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement; "they were involved in a violent argument" (同)contention, contestation, disputation, disceptation, tilt, argument, arguing
argue with one another; "We debated the question of abortion"; "John debated Mary"
the formal presentation of a stated proposition and the opposition to it (usually followed by a vote) (同)disputation, public debate
discuss the pros and cons of an issue (同)deliberate