squabble vs debate

squabble and debate both are nouns.

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

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

Other hypernyms of squabble include argue, contend, fence.

squabble (noun)	debate (noun)
a quarrel about petty points	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

squabble (verb)	debate (verb)
argue over petty things	argue with one another
	discuss the pros and cons of an issue
	have an argument about something
	think about carefully; weigh