deliberation

noun

di-ˌli-bə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce deliberation (audio)
Definition of deliberationnext
1
as in consideration
a careful weighing of the reasons for or against something gave the matter full deliberation before reaching a decision

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discussion
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue there was a great deal of deliberation among the representatives about the wording of the public statement

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of deliberation Conference bragging rights, both in the public discourse and in deliberations, are determined based on playoff appearances. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026 Inside the Postal Service, which is overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, deliberations on whether to comply with the order stretched on for weeks. — Jen Fifield, ProPublica, 28 Sep. 2026 After budget deliberations this summer, state legislators changed course and decided to partially fund the program. — Priyanka D McCluskey, NPR, 26 Sep. 2026 The case was expected to go to the jury for deliberations late Thursday. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deliberation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deliberation
  1. consideration
  2. discussion
  3. consultation
  4. debate
  5. consult
Noun
  • One theory focuses on political considerations — that extending the deportation reprieve could have made the administration appear weak on immigration to its conservative base, just ahead of next month’s consequential midterm election.
    — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Iowa doesn’t have a blemish on its record, and a strong game here might give them future consideration for the College Football Playoffs.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of consideration
Noun
  • Advertisement In many circles, the first mention of climate policy in the EU tends to be a discussion about backtracking.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
  • More Before lawmakers departed Washington to focus on campaigning ahead of the November elections, AI companies were still in active discussions on Capitol Hill.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of discussion
Noun
  • To address those inequities, the bill required financial assistance to tribes, protection of tribal uses and more consultation on water projects.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Every stay is bespoke, but the latter include a one-hour consultation with the resident Ayurvedic doctor in order to prescribe an itinerary comprising daily spa, fitness and rituals.
    — Kathryn Romeyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of consultation
Noun
  • The White House move is unfolding against a far darker debate over where the technology is headed.
    — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Early on, there’s a moment that foreshadows what the real debate is (or should be).
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of debate
Noun
  • Tzachi Zach does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
    — Tzachi Zach, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Clients looking for a more custom experience can hire Rosenthal for a personal consult, which includes two 30-minute sessions with the designer, a bespoke Dormie kit, two rounds of personalized edits and a customized 3D rendering for $4,000.
    — Alexis Benveniste, Architectural Digest, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of consult

Browse Nearby Words

deliberating
deliberation
deliberations
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deliberation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deliberation. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All