argument

ar·gu·ment

noun \ˈär-gyə-mənt\

Definition of ARGUMENT

1

obsolete : an outward sign : indication

2

a : a reason given in proof or rebuttal

b : discourse intended to persuade

3

a : the act or process of arguing : argumentation

b : a coherent series of statements leading from a premise to a conclusion

c : quarrel, disagreement

4

: an abstract or summary especially of a literary work <an argument preceded the poem>

5

: the subject matter especially of a literary work

6

a : one of the independent variables upon whose value that of a function depends

b : a substantive (as the direct object of a transitive verb) that is required by a predicate in grammar

c : amplitude 4

Examples of ARGUMENT

1. They made a compelling argument for our participation.
2. The committee presented strong arguments against building a new school.
3. a lawyer's closing argument at the trial
4. His argument did not convince his opponents.
5. Let us accept, for the sake of argument, that she is right.
6. Don't you want to hear both sides of the argument?
7. They were always getting into arguments about politics.
8. There were many arguments about the new design.
9. They settled an argument that started in class.
10. I don't want to hear any arguments about whether you'll go.

Origin of ARGUMENT

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin argumentum, from arguere

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ARGUMENT

Synonyms

altercation, argle-bargle [chiefly British], argy-bargy [chiefly British], battle royal, bicker, brawl, contretemps, controversy, cross fire, disagreement, dispute, donnybrook, falling-out, fight, hassle, imbroglio, kickup, misunderstanding, quarrel, rhubarb, row, scrap, set-to, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle

Related Words

clash, run-in, skirmish, tangle, tussle; logomachy; feud, vendetta; attack, contention, dissension (also dissention); debate, difference, disputation; fuss, objection, protest, protestation; affray [chiefly British], fisticuffs, fracas, fray, free-for-all, melee (also mêlée); catfight

Rhymes with ARGUMENT

accident, aliment, Blaenau Gwent, circumvent, compartment, complement, compliment, confident, devilment, diffident, discontent, document, evident, heaven-sent, implement, incident, instrument, Jack-a-Lent, malcontent, nonevent, Occident, ornament, orient, provident, regiment, reinvent, represent, re-present, resident, Saint-Laurent, sediment, self-content, subsequent, supplement