discuss

discuss, argue, debate, dispute, agitate mean to discourse about something in order to arrive at the truth or to convince others. Discuss implies an attempt to sift or examine especially by presenting considerations pro and con; it often suggests an interchange of opinion for the sake of clarifying issues and testing the strength of each side

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Hobart couldn't discuss. He could talk; he could assert . . . but he couldn't meet or answer arguments— Rose Macaulay

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not even the loon, in whose voice there is a human note, means to discuss the weather. You are living in a world almost devoid of communication— Laird

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Argue usually implies conviction and the adducing of evidence or reasons in support of one's cause or position

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Agrippa advised a republican restoration and Maecenas argued for a principate— Buchan

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deep- seated preferences cannot be argued about —you cannot argue a man into liking a glass of beer— Justice Holmes

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Debate stresses formal or public argument between opposing parties

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they had gathered a wise council to them of every realm, that did debate this business— Shak.

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Dispute, in the sense of discuss or debate, is somewhat uncommon

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[Paul] spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God— Acts 19:8

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It more usually implies contentious or heated argument (compare dispute n at ARGUMENT).

Agitate stresses both vigorous argument and a practical objective; it usually implies active propaganda and a determination to bring about a change

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when workers working ten hours a day agitate for an eight-hour day, what they really want is . . . sixteen hours off duty instead of fourteen— Shaw

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if you really expect success, agitate, agitate, agitate—Paget

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Analogous words: *explain, expound, interpret, elucidate, explicate: *discourse, expatiate, dilate, descant