Definition of argumentnext
1
2
as in explanation
a statement given to explain a belief or act gave a solid argument for the redeeming value of the shockingly violent movie

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in contention
an idea or opinion that is put forth in a discussion or debate it's my argument that we have too many problems here on earth to concern ourselves with manned trips to Mars

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of argument Prosecutor Shawn Smith told jurors during closing arguments that the group’s actions — including bringing firearms and first aid kits and wearing body armor — were all signs of nefarious intent. Jamie Stengle, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026 On April 27, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments from Bayer that the company can not be held liable under state law for not disclosing cancer risks that the EPA has not deemed necessary to include on labels. Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026 Christopher Ballard, a prosecutor with the Utah County Attorney's Office, dismissed those arguments. CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026 In closing arguments, Deputy Prosecutor Paul Namie, with co-counsel Judy Massa, said no matter Lipscomb’s behavior, shooting her once in the chest was unjustified. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for argument
Recent Examples of Synonyms for argument
Noun
  • What will become of this nursery in the wild in the next hundred years, or thousand, is the crux of a scientific and policy dispute.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
  • In the video, a group of young teens appeared to be in a verbal dispute before a physical altercation quickly escalated between two girls.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Eric Musselman sat behind a microphone at the bitter end of a bitter regular season for USC, armed only with the same explanations for how a once-hopeful season could come so undone.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Some of the specific explanations the CIA had used were just crazy.
    Scott Pelley, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The weather service considered a winter storm watch with potential blizzard conditions, but held off because confidence is not high enough to expect visibility cut to a quarter mile or less with only an inch or two of snow expected, according to its forecast discussion.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Some highlights from the discussion follow.
    Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The lawsuit calls that contention untrue — Estrada Juarez has never been in removal proceedings and has never seen an immigration judge.
    Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
  • One topic of contention was the Turlington Homes development approved prior to Clark’s death.
    Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Two men were hospitalized early Sunday after a quarrel turned into a shootout on the 79th Street Red Line platform along the Dan Ryan Expressway.
    Dylan Olsen, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Herro posted a photo of that autographed Durant jersey on his Instagram on Sunday, acknowledging his respect for Durant hours after Saturday’s quarrel.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The reasons for this are manifold, but include the fact that the Academy’s directors’ branch, which decides on the nominations, is still predominantly male, and has historically overlooked the work of women.
    Radhika Seth, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Mansfield Summit Coach Emund Pritchett said the program lost 7 players from last year’s team for various reasons, but some could’ve been back.
    Cody Thorn, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The debate comes down, inescapably, to the question of alignment.
    Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Six candidates were asked to participate in the March 24 debate, which is cosponsored by ABC7 Los Angeles and Univision.
    Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The State Department rejected the assertion that last year’s reductions in force (RIFs) impacted their assistance to US citizens stranded in the Middle East or to State’s consular operations.
    CNN.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
  • That assertion was confirmed in a trove of emails from city officials reviewed this week by The Dallas Morning News.
    Mark Lamster Architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Argument.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/argument. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

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