debate vs discuss

debate is a noun but discuss is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
debate	Yes	No	Yes	No
discuss	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, discuss is a hypernym of debate; that is, discuss is a word with a broader meaning than debate:

debate: discuss the pros and cons of an issue
discuss: speak with others about (something); talk (something) over in detail; have a discussion

Other hypernyms of debate include hash out, talk over.

As verbs, discuss is a hypernym of debate; that is, discuss is a word with a broader meaning than debate:

debate: think about carefully; weigh
discuss: speak with others about (something); talk (something) over in detail; have a discussion

Other hypernyms of debate include hash out, talk over.

debate (noun)	discuss (noun)
the formal presentation of a stated proposition and the opposition to it (usually followed by a vote)
a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal

debate (verb)	discuss (verb)
argue with one another	speak with others about (something); talk (something) over in detail; have a discussion
discuss the pros and cons of an issue	to consider or examine in speech or writing
have an argument about something
think about carefully; weigh