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Meaning & use

heated debate

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌhiːtɪd dɪˈbeɪt/
US/ˌhiːtɪd dɪˈbeɪt/

Meaning

  1. nouncountable

    A discussion in which people argue their opposing views with strong emotion and often with raised voices.

    Grammar: Usually takes an or an: a heated debate; the plural heated debates is also common.

    Patterns

    • a heated debate about something
    • a heated debate over something
    • a heated debate between people

    The proposal to close the library led to a heated debate at the town meeting.

    My cousins got into a heated debate over whose turn it was to host the holiday dinner.

    There was a heated debate between the two candidates about school funding.

Word forms

pluralheated debates

Common combinations

spark a heated debate
The new parking rules sparked a heated debate among residents.
engage in a heated debate
The two coaches engaged in a heated debate on the sideline.
a heated debate over
There was a heated debate over how to spend the surplus.
a heated debate rages
A heated debate rages online about the film's ending.
after a heated debate
After a heated debate, the committee voted to delay the decision.

Synonyms and how they differ

argument
An argument can be a plain quarrel between two people, whereas a heated debate suggests a more organised exchange of opinions on an issue.
controversy
Controversy describes a wider public disagreement that lasts a while, while a heated debate is a particular discussion that happens at one time.
row
Row is a British word for a noisy quarrel and sounds more personal than a heated debate about a topic.
dispute
A dispute is a formal or lasting disagreement, often about rights or money, and does not need the passion that heated implies.

Opposites

calm discussionagreement

Word family

heat noun
warmth, or intense feeling, as in the heat of the moment
heated adjective
angry or emotionally intense
heatedly adverb
in an angry, passionate way
debate verb
to discuss opposing views formally or informally

Commonly confused: heated debate or heated argument?

heated debate vs heated argument

A heated argument is more personal and may be a quarrel, while a heated debate is usually about a topic or policy.

Practice

The decision to ban phones in class led to a ___ among teachers.

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