ARGUE Synonyms: 183 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'argue' contrast with its synonyms?

The words debate and discuss are common synonyms of argue . While all three words mean "to discourse about in order to reach conclusions or to convince," argue implies the offering of reasons or evidence in support of convictions already held. // argued that the project would be too costly

Q: When is it sensible to use 'debate' instead of 'argue'?

While in some cases nearly identical to argue , debate suggests formal or public argument between opposing parties; it may also apply to deliberation with oneself. // debated the merits of the amendment // I'm debating whether I should go

Q: When might 'discuss' be a better fit than 'argue'?

The synonyms discuss and argue are sometimes interchangeable, but discuss implies a sifting of possibilities especially by presenting considerations pro and con. // discussed the need for a new highway

argue

verb

ˈär-(ˌ)gyü

Definition of argue

as in to contend

to state (something) as a reason in support of or against something under consideration argued that a bake sale would make a lot less money than a car wash

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to bicker

to express different opinions about something often angrily that couple argues so incessantly it's a miracle they're still together

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to convince

to cause (someone) to agree with a belief or course of action by using arguments or earnest requests argued my boss into letting me telecommute for four days a week

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as in to discuss

to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion candidates arguing gun control in a nationally televised debate

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as in to confirm

to give evidence or testimony to the truth or factualness of the security video argues that it was a taller man who entered the building

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb argue contrast with its synonyms?

The words debate and discuss are common synonyms of argue. While all three words mean "to discourse about in order to reach conclusions or to convince," argue implies the offering of reasons or evidence in support of convictions already held.

argued that the project would be too costly

When is it sensible to use debate instead of argue?

While in some cases nearly identical to argue, debate suggests formal or public argument between opposing parties; it may also apply to deliberation with oneself.

debated the merits of the amendment

I'm debating whether I should go

When might discuss be a better fit than argue?

The synonyms discuss and argue are sometimes interchangeable, but discuss implies a sifting of possibilities especially by presenting considerations pro and con.

discussed the need for a new highway

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 argue Critics argue that the bill would expose people to prosecution for consensual conduct. — Ilana Turko, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026 Additionally, Devitt argues that even if an AI agent helps a shopper discover a product, Amazon can still handle the purchase and delivery, keeping much of the transaction value. — CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026 But Gay and Eva Bermúdez Zimmerman, executive director of Child Care for CT, argued that eliminating Head Start’s longtime requirements would reduce the quality of care participants receive. — Maia Nehme, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026 The authors of Proposition 40 are in favor of trying to impose wealth taxes at any level of government, but others argue that a national wealth tax has the best chance of success here. — Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for argue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for argue

Verb

Georgia Power is adding an unprecedented amount of new electricity to its power grid, much of which will come from gas plants, which critics contend will produce more planet-warming greenhouse gases.

— Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 30 Sep. 2026
The color line As in Germany, historians contend that Southern Jews who wanted reforms, which wound up making worship more similar to a Protestant service, were responding to the overwhelmingly Christian makeup of the society around them.

— Ashley Walters, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of contend

Verb

Like law enforcement agents everywhere, they’re disposed to bickering about jurisdiction or pumping each other for off-limits information.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
While the boys bicker over stickball rules, old-timers Keith Hernandez, Willie Randolph and Tom Seaver argue from a stoop.

— Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of bicker

Verb

Under the memorandum of understanding the two sides signed in June that collapsed within days, Iran's nuclear program was meant to be discussed over a 60-day period.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
During a recent cover story for Vogue Arabia, Lohan discussed having become more vocal throughout her career.

— Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of discuss

Verb

This, the perfectly decent people of Kettleborough reasoned, was a natural and godly rebuke for Susan and Cuthbert’s sin.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Lourdes Bishop Jean-Marc Micas in 2025 decided to cover the facade of the Notre Dame du Rosaire Basilica, reasoning that abuse victims who come to Lourdes for healing shouldn’t be forced to see them.

— Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of reason

Verb

Kosovo has criticized the verdicts as unjust, maintaining that the KLA, which Thaci had led before entering politics, fought against Serbian oppression.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
His emphasis on fighting crime, his anti-left agenda and his confrontations with the Supreme Federal Court and Brazil’s political establishment directly appeal to issues that have mobilized Bolsonaro’s base for years.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of fight

Verb

But those advances shouldn’t persuade us that anatomy has finished teaching us.

— Subramaniam C. Krishnan, STAT, 28 Sep. 2026
Tony Forte, president of USAngling, the sanctioning body, said the tournament will be a showcase to persuade the International Olympic Committee to include bass fishing at the Summer Olympics.

— Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of persuade

Browse Nearby Words

arguable

argue

argued

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Style

“Argue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/argue. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of argue

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