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heated debate

heated debate

12 3.5
An argument with strong feelings and different opinions
  • noun
  • /ˈhiːtɪd dɪˈbeɪt/
translation icon : debate acalorado
  • The most heated debate over cross-border flows of clean technology has focused on intellectual property rights.
  • provoked heated debate
  • heated debate ensued
  • subject of heated debate

It's more of a heated debate than a fallout.

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Examples

  • Yellowstone was at the center of a heated debate over various proposals to manage the park's grizzlies.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Welfare reform has been the recurrent subject of heated debate in the United States, culminating in far-reaching legislation in 1996.

    Academic text (2003)
  • On one side, there is a heated debate about the need for such policies.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Sometimes, they get into heated debates with the customers.

  • Many of our most heated debates about justice involve the role of markets.

  • As mentioned above, The Day After Tomorrow sparked a heated debate about the science and politics of global warming.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Her story attracted national media coverage and provoked a heated debate in Chicago.

    Academic text (2010)
  • On both sides of the Atlantic, these players have staged multiple workshops with often heated debates between participants.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The very notion of what constituted intelligence was a topic of heated debate among cognitive and behavioral psychologists.

    Academic text (1995)
  • During the city council meeting, members engaged in a heated debate about the new zoning regulations.

Synonyms

debate
vsheated debate
  • Formal
2.0

A formal discussion where opposing sides argue about a topic

is similar but usually less formal and more emotionally charged
fight
vsheated debate
675 2.4

A strong argument between people or groups, often public

is usually a single heated exchange rather than an extended conflict
argument
vsheated debate
617 2.3

A disagreement between people that is often angry

adds the idea of heat and strong emotion rather than neutral dispute
controversy
vsheated debate
465 4.9

A long public disagreement that causes strong arguments between people

is similar but emphasizes immediate emotional intensity of the debate
dispute
vsheated debate
384 3.0

A serious argument about something important that lasts a long time

is more about heated feeling and immediate argumentative intensity
exchange
vsheated debate
119 3.5

A short angry conversation between two people

is the same heated content but with stronger anger and intensity
crossfire
vsheated debate
118 5.3

A heated back-and-forth argument between people with different views

is similar but stresses emotional heat rather than quick idea exchange
row
vsheated debate
  • UK
74 6.0

A noisy argument between people

is about heated exchange but not always noisy or public
quarrel
vsheated debate
61 2.0

An angry argument between people who are usually friendly

is a heated contest that can involve strangers or groups
altercation
vsheated debate
52 6.8

A noisy argument between people often in public

is focused on heated disagreement but not always public or noisy
contention
vsheated debate
34 6.5

A strong disagreement between people or groups

is similar but highlights the emotional heat of the exchange
wrangling
vsheated debate
16 6.7

A long heated argument about a specific issue

is similar but centers on the immediate heated exchange itself
war of words
vsheated debate
15 6.2

A long angry argument in public between opposing groups

shares bitterness but is narrower, focusing on one intense public argument
shouting match
vsheated debate
  • Informal
7 3.8

A noisy argument in which people try to shout louder than each other

is emotionally strong but can be less loud
heated argument
vsheated debate
7 3.5

A strong angry disagreement between people with loud voices

is a heated exchange but highlights discussion rather than just anger
heated discussion
vsheated debate
5 3.7

An argument where people speak loudly and with strong feelings

is the same phrase focused on argument rather than general discussion
sparring
vsheated debate
4 5.8

A short angry argument where people try to gain an advantage

is more about strong feelings and less about tactic or gain
wrangle
vsheated debate
2 7.4

A noisy argument that lasts a long time

captures strong feeling but not necessarily noise or length
arguing
vsheated debate
2 2.4

A time when people strongly disagree and speak loudly

is more about intense emotion and sustained confrontation
robust discussion
vsheated debate
1 4.1

A lively, strong talk where people share honest, clear opinions

is more about anger and intensity than just liveliness
contestation
vsheated debate
  • Formal
1 8.4

A strong disagreement about something important

is the emotionally charged discussion form rather than the abstract act
argy-bargy
vsheated debate
  • Slang
1 9.9

A noisy argument between people about a small issue

is broader, covering intense debates beyond casual wrangles
words
vsheated debate
  • Informal
1 6.2

A short angry argument between people

is usually longer and more sustained in emotional intensity
acrimonious argument
vsheated debate
7.8

A bitter, angry argument that causes hard feelings

is emotional too but less focused on personal bitterness
mass debate
vsheated debate
4.1

A large public discussion with many people about important issues

is usually a smaller intense exchange rather than a mass discussion

How Heated

contentious
62 7.4
heated debate
12 3.5
debate
  • Formal
2.0
discussion
1.4

Surface Forms

heated debate singular

Morphology

heated + debate

The meaning is directly compositional: 'heated' (emotionally intense or angry) modifies 'debate' (an argument), yielding an intense or emotionally charged discussion. This adjective+noun pattern and the metaphorical use of 'heated' to mean high emotion is common cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

Heated debate uses the picture of a room growing hot when people argue because heated shows 'hot' feelings and debate means a discussion. That's why it means a discussion or 'argument' with strong emotions.