1

discuss

它是指把支持和反对的意见列出来， 条分缕析地对各种可能性进行分析。

implies a sifting of possibilities by presenting considerations pro and con

例句：

discuss the need for widening the expressway

探讨拓宽高速公路的需求

2

argue

指给出原因或证据来证明自己已经持有的立场，通常气氛比较热烈

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

例句：

argued that the project would be too costly

就这个项目是否耗费太大展开争论

3

debate

指对立阵营间正式或公开的争论。

例句：

debate the merits of the proposed constitutional amendment

就宪法修正案议案的可取之处展开辩论

它还可以用于(自己)考虑细想某事。

例句：

I'm debating whether I should go.

我在考虑是否应该前往。

4

dispute

指可能引起争吵的或热烈的争论，程度更深。

例句：

scientists dispute the reasons for the extinction of the dinosaurs

科学家就恐龙灭绝的原因争论不休