Argument vs. Debate — What's the Difference?

A mathematical statement showing the equality of two expressions.

An academic exercise consisting of arguing a case before a judge or audience.

A disagreement or dispute between individuals expressing opposing views.

The process of deliberating or discussing a matter thoroughly.

A summary of the subject matter of a book or article.

A regulated contest in public speaking and argumentation.

In computing, a value or parameter passed to a function or subroutine.

In parliamentary contexts, a discussion on a specific motion before a decision is made.

A reason or set of reasons given in support of an idea or theory.

A formal discussion on a particular topic in which opposing arguments are presented.

In logic and philosophy, an argument is a series of statements (in a natural language), called the premises or premisses (both spellings are acceptable), intended to determine the degree of truth of another statement, the conclusion. The logical form of an argument in a natural language can be represented in a symbolic formal language, and independently of natural language formally defined "arguments" can be made in math and computer science.

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

An exchange of diverging or opposite views, typically a heated or angry one

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

A reason or set of reasons given in support of an idea, action or theory

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

An independent variable associated with a function or proposition and determining its value. For example, in the expression y = F(x₁, x₂), the arguments of the function F are x₁ and x₂, and the value is y.

To consider something; deliberate.

Any of the noun phrases in a clause that are related directly to the verb, typically the subject, direct object, and indirect object.

To engage in argument by discussing opposing points.

A summary of the subject matter of a book.

To engage in a formal discussion or argument.

A discussion in which the parties involved express disagreement with one another; a debate

(Obsolete) To fight or quarrel.

An angry discussion involving disagreement among the participants; a quarrel

To deliberate on; consider.

(Archaic) A reason or matter for dispute or contention

To dispute or argue about.

A course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating truth or falsehood

To discuss or argue (a question, for example) formally.

A fact or statement put forth as proof or evidence; a reason

(Obsolete) To fight or argue for or over.

A set of statements in which one follows logically as a conclusion from the others.

A discussion involving opposing points; an argument.

A summary or short statement of the plot or subject of a literary work.

Deliberation; consideration

A topic; a subject

A formal contest of argumentation in which two opposing teams defend and attack a given proposition.

(Logic) The minor premise in a syllogism.

(Obsolete) Conflict; strife.

The independent variable of a function.

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.

The angle of a complex number measured from the positive horizontal axis.

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

(Computers) A value used to evaluate a procedure or subroutine.

(uncountable) Discussion of opposing views.

(Linguistics) A word, phrase, or clause in a semantic relation with a word or phrase and that helps complete the meaning of that word or phrase, such as a noun phrase that is the object of a verb. The clause that we go is an argument of the verb suggest in the sentence I suggest that we go.

(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.

A fact or statement used to support a proposition; a reason.

(obsolete) Strife, discord.

A series of propositions organized so that the final proposition is a conclusion which is intended to follow logically from the preceding propositions, which function as premises.

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

(countable) A process of reasoning; argumentation.

To fight.

(countable) An abstract or summary of the content of a literary work such as a book, a poem or a major section such as a chapter, included in the work before the content itself; (figuratively) the contents themselves.

To engage in combat for; to strive for.

(countable) A verbal dispute; a quarrel.

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

Any dispute, altercation, or collision.

To engage in combat for; to strive for.

Any of the phrases that bears a syntactic connection to the verb of a clause.

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

The independent variable of a function.

To engage in strife or combat; to fight.

The phase of a complex number.

A fight or fighting; contest; strife.

A quantity on which the calculation of another quantity depends.

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.

A value, or a reference to a value, passed to a function.

Subject of discussion.

A parameter at a function call; an actual parameter, as opposed to a formal parameter.

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

A matter in question; a business in hand.

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

The subject matter of an artistic representation, discourse, or writing; a theme or topic.

Argue with one another;

Evidence, proof; (countable) an item of such evidence or proof.

Think about carefully; weigh;

To put forward as an argument; to argue.

Discuss the pros and cons of an issue

To adduce evidence, to provide proof.

Have an argument about something

Proof; evidence.

A reason or reasons offered in proof, to induce belief, or convince the mind; reasoning expressed in words; as, an argument about, concerning, or regarding a proposition, for or in favor of it, or against it.

A process of reasoning, or a controversy made up of rational proofs; argumentation; discussion; disputation.

The subject matter of a discourse, writing, or artistic representation; theme or topic; also, an abstract or summary, as of the contents of a book, chapter, poem.

Matter for question; business in hand.

The quantity on which another quantity in a table depends; as, the altitude is the argument of the refraction.

The independent variable upon whose value that of a function depends.

To make an argument; to argue.

A fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true;

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

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

A summary of the subject or plot of a literary work or play or movie;

A variable in a logical or mathematical expression whose value determines the dependent variable; if f(x)=y, x is the independent variable

An argument is a disagreement or dispute where individuals express opposing views, often driven by emotion.

A debate is a structured and formal discussion where participants present and defend opposing viewpoints logically.

Yes, arguments can lead to misunderstandings and strained relationships due to their emotional nature.

The goal of a debate is to explore differing viewpoints logically and reach a conclusion or persuade an audience.

The main objective of an argument is to assert one's viewpoint.

Arguments often rely on personal experiences and emotions, but not always.

Yes, evidence, logic, and factual information are paramount in debates.

Yes, debates foster deeper understanding and respect for differing viewpoints.

Arguments can occur spontaneously in various contexts, such as personal or professional settings.

Arguments are often emotional and personal, while debates are structured and focus on logical discussion.

Debates are usually formal and follow specific rules, but informal debates can occur in casual settings.

In arguments, participants may use personal experiences, while debates emphasize evidence and logic.

Yes, arguments can be presented in books or articles as a summary of the subject matter or reasoning.

Debates aim for a constructive exploration of topics, whereas arguments can sometimes result in unresolved conflicts.

Yes, debates are usually prearranged with clear rules and structure.