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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The article argues this move severely damages American soccer's integrity and global reputation. — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 Johnson and his colleagues are now arguing that the formation of continents on Earth was caused largely by an intense, sustained barrage of asteroid impacts that kept the early crust hot and thin enough to make buoyant continents possible. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 5 July 2026 Timothy Pollock, a professor of entrepreneurship at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, argues that executives now occupy a cultural role once reserved for movie stars and athletes. — Rachel Ventresca, Fortune, 5 July 2026 Mehrotra noted the project demonstrates the strength of combining American innovation with Japanese manufacturing expertise, arguing that the partnership delivers world-class semiconductor technology rather than a compromise between the two. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for argue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for argue

Verb

On the northern portion, the Assessor’s Office contended that a private lake was complete, and the Moyles had put in infrastructure improvements, such as a residential road, sidewalks and electrical boxes.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 13 July 2026
But Mayo contended that the more important development this quarter might be happening away from Wall Street.

— Hugh Son, CNBC, 13 July 2026

Definition of contend

Verb

Several weeks back, Clark and White were caught bickering during a timeout huddle against the expansion Portland Fire.

— Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 June 2026
The plot centers on bickering couple Joe and Angela, who invite their noisy upstairs neighbors, Hawk and Piña, for dinner.

— Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Definition of bicker

Verb

The court date begins a weeklong preliminary hearing where prosecutors aim to convince a Utah judge to allow the trial to move forward.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Ryan would love nothing more than to help convince the front office to add and give this team a chance down the stretch.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of convince

Verb

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston and Joan Sebastian Durán Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine, were both killed during federal immigration enforcement operations, but neither man was the target of those operations, sources have confirmed.

— Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Patients would initiate the request, to be reviewed by health professionals within 15 days, and then confirm it after a period of reflection lasting at least two days.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 July 2026

Definition of confirm

Verb

The update to Muse Spark beats out Google’s latest release of Gemini in benchmarks measuring coding and reasoning capabilities, according to the tech giant.

— Ben Weiss, Fortune, 9 July 2026
Judge Biggs largely agreed with Williamson that Ford should have known her counterclaims were without merit, reasoning that outlook became clear after the court held the five-year contract was void as a matter of law.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 July 2026

Definition of reason

Verb

Four lobbyists who persuaded their clients to pay tour expenses, but did not report them, now face misdemeanor violations of the gift ban.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026
Numbers like that are persuading brands to start treating in-game ads and product placements as a serious channel rather than a spare-budget experiment.

— Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 15 July 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 17 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of argue

verb

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