All these words mean to talk with others in order to reach an agreement, to persuade, or to settle a question of fact. Argue , the most general in the list, may refer to a reasoned presentation of views or to a heated exchange of opinion amounting to a quarrel.

• The Senator argued his position with such cogency and wit that even his adversaries were impressed; They argued vociferously over who should pay the bill.

Debate means to argue formally, usually under the control of a referee and according to a set of regulations: The House of Representatives debated the proposal for three days. Any argument in which each person has strongly held opinions, however, can be styled a debate . Debate is also used less formally to mean to consider or think about alternative: They debated about which train to take.

Discuss means to talk over, usually in an informal, friendly way. It implies that the participants have less intensely held opinions than in a debate , and emphasizes their common desire to resolve the question satisfactorily: a committee appointed to discuss and formulate recommendations on how to improve job opportunities for the under-privileged. Discuss points to the elucidation of an issue rather than to the narrow presentation of one’s own view.

Reason means to argue or discuss in a careful and painstaking manner in order to persuade or explore a subject in depth: Supreme Court judges reasoning with one another in interpreting the legislation.

Dispute , in this context, means to argue with more passion than logic, often from a factional point of view: Adherents of rival candidates for office frequently fall to disputing about subtle rules of procedure.