argue

verb

ar·​gue ˈär-(ˌ)gyü 

argued; arguing

intransitive verb

1

: to give reasons for or against something : reason

argue for a new policy

2

: to contend or disagree in words : dispute

They're always arguing about money.

transitive verb

1

: to give evidence of : indicate

The facts argue his innocence.

2

: to consider the pros and cons of : discuss

argue an issue

3

: to prove or try to prove by giving reasons : maintain

asking for a chance to argue his case

4

: to persuade by giving reasons : induce

couldn't argue her out of going

arguer

ˈär-gyə-wər 

-gyü-ər

noun

Synonyms

• assert
• contend
• maintain
• plead
• reason

Choose the Right Synonym for argue

discuss, argue, debate mean to discourse about in order to reach conclusions or to convince.

discuss implies a sifting of possibilities especially by presenting considerations pro and con.

discussed the need for a new highway

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

argued that the project would be too costly

debate suggests formal or public argument between opposing parties

debated the merits of the amendment

; it may also apply to deliberation with oneself.

I'm debating whether I should go

Examples of argue in a Sentence

She argued against the proposed law.

The senator argued in favor of lowering taxes.

He's always willing to argue for what is right.

She argued that the proposed law should be defeated.

He argued that it's far too early to make a decision.

No one can argue me out of doing this.

They started arguing about politics.

She would argue with anyone.

Recent Examples on the Web

TikTok critics argue the app is being used for propaganda, and that American data could be accessed by the Chinese government. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024

With oil prices rising more than 15% this year due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and the U.S. economy proving its resilience to higher interest rates, many leading economists and professional investors now argue that inflation could get stuck in a range around 3% this year. —Will Daniel, Fortune, 22 Apr. 2024

The city argues that camping restrictions are commonplace across the U.S. and are essential to public health and safety. —Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 22 Apr. 2024

In 2017 Perlin organized a colloquium on Eunice Foote (an American scientist who, in 1856, was the first to argue that putting greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere could cause climate change). —Eugene Linden, TIME, 21 Apr. 2024

The prosecutor handling the case argued in court that the video was inconclusive and deemed Alam’s actions self-defense. —Detroit Free Press, 21 Apr. 2024

Human activities, the pair argued, were altering the planet faster and more dramatically than the geological forces that had shaped it for most of its history. —Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2024

The newspaper’s reports were cited by local officials who argued that Greenstone’s water transfer to Queen Creek would be a harbinger of many more such deals, as water becomes increasingly scarce across the West. —Maanvi Singh, WIRED, 20 Apr. 2024

However, critics have long argued that law enforcement is most likely to escalate these types of emergencies. —Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French arguer to reprove, argue & Latin arguere to demonstrate, prove; Anglo-French arguer, from Latin argutare to prate, frequentative of arguere; akin to Hittite arkuwai- to plead, respond

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing argue

• argue the toss
• counter-argue
• one can't argue with

Kids Definition

argue

verb

ar·​gue ˈär-gyü 

argued; arguing

1

: to give reasons for or against

argue in favor of lowering taxes

2

: to talk about some matter usually with different points of view

argue about politics

3

: to persuade by giving reasons

tried to argue their parents into getting a new car

arguer noun

Legal Definition

argue

verb

ar·​gue

argued; arguing

intransitive verb

1

: to give reasons for or against a matter in dispute

arguing for an extension

2

: to present a case in court

will argue for the defense

transitive verb

1

a

: to give reasons for or against

argued the issue before the judge

b

: to prove or try to prove by giving reasons or evidence

will argue invasion of privacy

2

: to present in court

lawyers in court filing briefs and arguing appeals

—Rorie Sherman

arguable adjective