1
as in discussion
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue
wouldn't be a cricket match without a little argy-bargy over the umpire's every call
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2
as in quarrel
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
the perennial argy-bargy over whether the monarchy should be abolished
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Recent Examples of argy-bargy
The staredown initiated a little argy-bargy between the pair as both teams exited the field.
—
David Close,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Perhaps this explains why there was none of the needle associated with those recent encounters, including the Carabao Cup first-round clash in August 2024 that again ended in a bout of argy-bargy sparked by a 92nd-minute clash between Sydie Peck and Jack Marriott.
—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
22 Mar. 2026
David Close,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Perhaps this explains why there was none of the needle associated with those recent encounters, including the Carabao Cup first-round clash in August 2024 that again ended in a bout of argy-bargy sparked by a 92nd-minute clash between Sydie Peck and Jack Marriott.
—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for argy-bargy
Noun
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During Thursday evening’s Board of Commissioners meeting, officials unanimously, and with no additional discussion, approved Johnston’s exit agreement and named Assistant County Administrator Alan Howze as his replacement for the rest of the year.
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Immediately, the call sparked online debate and discussion that will surely continue into next week.
Noun
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The victim got into a quarrel inside Bob’s Classic Barber Shop on Albany Ave.
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Rounding out the top five names were seven write-in votes for the Sacramento Capitals or Capitols — which could be nicknamed the Caps to avoid quarrels over the spelling — and six votes for the Sacramento Stingers or Sting, referencing the collegiate Sacramento State Hornets.
Noun
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And a red card against an American soccer star sparks debate.
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But most companies run scenario-planning exercises, only to rehearse their debates about what to do once a crisis hits.
Noun
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The legal action is part of a broader series of disputes in the streaming industry over carriage rights, bundling requirements and pricing control.
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The dispute over Mississippi's law dates back to 2024, when the Republican National Committee and Mississippi's Libertarian Party filed lawsuits challenging the ballot-receipt deadline.
Noun
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The agency made the changes without the customary professional consultations, KFF has reported.
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His expensive and ambitious campaign has been conducted with little congressional consultation or oversight, shaped entirely by one man.
Noun
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While Blutinger was speaking, history professor Jonathan Roth attempted to take video of the protesters in the hallway and got into a physical altercation with a female student who tried to block him from doing so.
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During that altercation, the other person shot Perkins several times, police said.
Noun
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The law requires that the DHS secretary consult with other government agencies before designating a country for TPS.
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Nissen consults for statin-makers AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis and Pfizer but does not receive financial compensation.
Noun
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Some states chose not to send representatives; several of them cited disagreements with the partisan mission.
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The city commission reached a major step forward on the project after months of delays and disagreements over the best way to replace the old City Hall, which was damaged beyond repair by the historic flooding of April 2023.
Cite this Entry
“Argy-bargy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/argy-bargy. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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