argue

verb

ˈär-(ˌ)gyü How to pronounce argue (audio)
Definition of arguenext
1
as in to contend
to state (something) as a reason in support of or against something under consideration argued that a bake sale would make a lot less money than a car wash

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to bicker
to express different opinions about something often angrily that couple argues so incessantly it's a miracle they're still together

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to convince
to cause (someone) to agree with a belief or course of action by using arguments or earnest requests argued my boss into letting me telecommute for four days a week

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to discuss
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion candidates arguing gun control in a nationally televised debate

Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to confirm
to give evidence or testimony to the truth or factualness of the security video argues that it was a taller man who entered the building

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb argue contrast with its synonyms?

The words debate and discuss are common synonyms of argue. While all three words mean "to discourse about in order to reach conclusions or to convince," argue implies the offering of reasons or evidence in support of convictions already held.

argued that the project would be too costly

When is it sensible to use debate instead of argue?

While in some cases nearly identical to argue, debate suggests formal or public argument between opposing parties; it may also apply to deliberation with oneself.

debated the merits of the amendment
I'm debating whether I should go

When might discuss be a better fit than argue?

The synonyms discuss and argue are sometimes interchangeable, but discuss implies a sifting of possibilities especially by presenting considerations pro and con.

discussed the need for a new highway

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of argue People argue about how much space a birder should give to its target, and whether baiting them with food is appropriate. —Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2025 After a few seconds of arguing, Drew could be seen giving in to the upset fan, reaching into his son's glove for the baseball and giving it to the woman. —Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025 Officials argue that this ensures the US benefits financially from visitors who fail to follow visa rules, and the visa, once obtained, is valid for several years. —Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025 According to reports by The Moscow Times, members of the local Communist Party are arguing that the restrictions violate their constitutional rights to freedom of communication. —PC Magazine, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for argue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for argue
  1. contend
  2. bicker
  3. convince
  4. discuss
  5. confirm
  6. reason
  7. fight
  8. persuade
Verb
  • The administration contends the law is unconstitutional, asserting an expansive view of presidential power that could prompt the Supreme Court to overturn what remains of its 90-year-old precedent upholding such removal protections.
    — Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The Los Angeles Dodgers went into Sunday having lost seven of their last eight games against non-contending teams.
    — Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of contend
Verb
  • Coaches are also bickering about money, a topic that would have felt out of place 10 years ago.
    — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The crew members bicker among themselves.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Definition of bicker
Verb
  • Despite their mass use, Manuylov hopes to convince various associations and research boards to conduct comparative field tests of the classic methods versus his own.
    — Maria Williams, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Ciara recently opened up about a time her husband, Russell Wilson, convinced a teenager with leukemia to stick with his treatment, an act that wound up changing his story from coming to an end.
    — Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of convince
Verb
  • The gathering, billed as a briefing rather than a fullblown hearing, included a slate of experts in science, defense and technology who discussed with members of Congress how understanding the unexplained phenomena could lead to scientific breakthroughs and enhance national security.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Still, Highmark would not discuss L’s case in any detail, citing patient privacy.
    — Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of discuss
Verb
  • The 200-acre campus, now called Aspiria, is a contender for a potential Royals ballpark after the team confirmed that an affiliate purchased the mortgage of the campus in the spring, giving the team some financial leverage over the site.
    — Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the victim as Daniella Weisman from Glencoe, a spokesperson confirms to PEOPLE.
    — Jillian Frankel, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of confirm
Verb
  • In this task, intuition is reflected in whether people can suddenly sense connections between things without consciously reasoning them out.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • If making movies couldn’t happen for him, Newell eventually reasoned his next best thing might be to stage movies live.
    — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of reason
Verb
  • Among other resources, two engines have also been deployed to fight the wildfire.
    — CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Her grandfather served in World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of fight
Verb
  • But much like Howard Jarvis feared, the tax-and-spend interests have sought to destroy Proposition 13 ever since, most recently by persuading courts to carve loopholes in its constitutional protections and invent new ways for government agencies to raise revenue.
    — Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Elizabeth Stage, whose Oakland hills home barely escaped the deadly 1991 firestorm, and whose work as president of the Oakland FireSafe Council involves persuading residents to adopt Zone 0 measures, said the study would be a helpful, persuasive tool.
    — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of persuade

Browse Nearby Words

arguable
argue
argued
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Argue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/argue. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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