discuss

verb

dis·​cuss di-ˈskəs How to pronounce discuss (audio)
discussed; discussing; discusses
Synonyms of discussnext

transitive verb

1
a
: to talk about
discussing the news of the day
b
: to investigate by reasoning or argument
discuss the matter with your family
c
: to present in detail for examination or consideration
as discussed in the text
2
obsolete : declare
discuss the same in French unto him— Shakespeare
3
obsolete : dispel
discussable adjective
or discussible
di-ˈskə-sə-bəl How to pronounce discuss (audio)
discusser noun

Synonyms

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Choose the Right Synonym for discuss

discuss, argue, debate mean to discourse about in order to reach conclusions or to convince.

discuss implies a sifting of possibilities especially by presenting considerations pro and con.

discussed the need for a new highway

argue implies the offering of reasons or evidence in support of convictions already held.

argued that the project would be too costly

debate suggests formal or public argument between opposing parties

debated the merits of the amendment

; it may also apply to deliberation with oneself.

I'm debating whether I should go

Examples of discuss in a Sentence

She discussed the plan with several colleagues. They held a meeting to discuss the future of the company. We'll discuss where to meet later. Have you discussed the matter with your family?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Macron, 47, visited the Oval Office for a Feb. 24 meeting with Trump, 78, where the two presidents discussed Russia and Ukraine's three-year war — with a focus on resolving which country is responsible financially for supplying aid to Ukraine. — Angel Saunders, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025 Witkoff and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested that U.S. and Russian officials have discussed the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant — Europe's largest — in southern Ukraine. — TIME, 18 Mar. 2025 Subscribe Traders will also be keeping an eye on talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in which they’re expected to discuss, over the phone, a potential 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine and Russia’s conditions for agreeing to a pause in the war. — Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2025 What’s been learned Some of the documents already released have offered details on the way intelligence services operated at the time, including CIA cables and memos discussing visits by Oswald to the Soviet and Cuban embassies during a trip to Mexico City just weeks before the assassination. — Jamie Stengle, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for discuss

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French discusser, from Latin discussus, past participle of discutere to disperse, from dis- apart + quatere to shake — more at dis-, quash

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of discuss was in the 15th century

Rhymes for discuss

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Browse Nearby Words

discuss
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Cite this Entry

“Discuss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discuss. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

discuss

verb
dis·​cuss dis-ˈkəs How to pronounce discuss (audio)
1
: to consider carefully and openly by reasoning or argument
discuss a proposal
2
: to talk about
discuss the weather

More from Merriam-Webster on discuss

Nglish: Translation of discuss for Spanish Speakers

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