argumentative

adjective

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

variants or less commonly argumentive

ˌär-gyə-ˈmen-tiv 

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

argumentatively adverb

Synonyms of argumentative

• controversial
• contentious
• polemical
• aggressive
• stubborn

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

Trotsky’s arguments about revolution in one nation versus a revolution of the international proletariat, like the fine argumentative tracery of Paul’s Jewish Christians versus Greek ones, seemed vital to the movement at the time but weirdly trivial and abstract to those outside it. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026

After winning modifications to the ballot label to remove argumentative and prejudicial language, taxpayers are suing the measure proponents over their ballot argument. —Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026

The course is designed to help students develop skills in reading, writing and academic discussion, Howard said, with a focus on literary analysis and working toward argumentative essays by the end of the year. —Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026

Authorities say Phillips became argumentative and moved toward the mayor, prompting an officer to step in between them. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see argue

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for argumentative

• representative
• augmentative
• fermentative
• presentative
• preventative
• tentative
• unrepresentative

Kids Definition

argumentative

adjective

ar·​gu·​men·​ta·​tive ˌär-gyə-ˈment-ət-iv 

: marked by or given to argument : quarrelsome

argumentatively adverb