argumentative

adjective

Save Word

ar·gu·men·ta·tive | \ ˌär-gyə-ˈmen-tə-tiv

variants: or less commonly argumentive \ ˌär-gyə-ˈmen-tiv

Definition of argumentative

1 : given to argument : tending to argue : having or showing a tendency to disagree or argue with other people in an angry way : disputatious He became argumentative when confronted with the allegation. an argumentative temperament … had been a pigheaded, argumentative, irascible, and unlikable man …— Colleen McCullough

2 : consisting of or characterized by argument argumentative discourse aired their opinions in an argumentative way

Other Words from argumentative Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about argumentative

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of argumentative in a Sentence

He became more argumentative during the debate. he's too argumentative to be part of a project in which teamwork is critical

Recent Examples on the Web Insupportable assertions, argumentative slipperiness, slapping away criticism, acrobatic bedazzlement, presumption of authority, displays of testiness: Any genuinely fresh confrontation with the past would have to scrap those tricks. — William Hogeland, The New Republic, "Against the Consensus Approach to History," 25 Jan. 2021 Your behavior — being sad, argumentative, procrastinating and doubting yourself at every turn — are all indicators of depression. — Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, "Ask Amy: Depressed partner is locked in a shame cycle," 18 Dec. 2020 Your behavior — being sad, argumentative, procrastinating, and doubting yourself at every turn — are all indicators of depression. — Amy Dickinson, oregonlive, "Ask Amy: Depressed woman wonders if she’s good enough," 18 Dec. 2020 While still in the squad car, officers had discussions with the SUV occupants, including the front seat passenger, Cunningham, who, according to two other occupants of the car, became argumentative and belligerent, the release said. — Post-tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, "No charges in 2019 fatal Gary police shooting, prosecutor says," 19 Nov. 2020 Friends and acquaintances of the time recalled the couple's deeply political and, at times, argumentative nature. — Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kamala Harris's Parents Were Student Activists Who Influenced Her Own Political Career," 11 Nov. 2020 At the time, her passion could have come off as argumentative, several members of the Native community who interacted with her said. — Michael Mccleary, The Indianapolis Star, "Carolina Castoreno-Santana won't stop fighting to change Indianapolis baseball team name," 19 Oct. 2020 The media session lasted only a couple of minutes before 10K Foundation activist Jonathan Mason became argumentative and cut off his answers to reporters' questions. — Rochelle Olson, Star Tribune, "Judge denies prosecution's request to seal on filings in Floyd case for at least 48 hours," 15 Oct. 2020 Beyond being argumentative, Myers directed his guests to stay in defiance of Governor Hogan's Orders and the officers' lawful orders to disband the party. — Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, "Man refused to disband party that violated COVID order, gets year in jail," 29 Sep. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'argumentative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.