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 The vice president didn't use his closing argument to co-sign the lofty presidential promise that adult Americans would receive $5,000 if Republicans retain their control of both chambers of Congress. Averi Harper, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026 The argument over those lessons is no longer being conducted by the same narrow circle of Americans. Ayman M. Mohyeldin, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026 IndyStar's Cate Charron has the recap of each side's arguments here. Marissa Meaor, IndyStar, 11 Sep. 2026 But even if Hegel’s interpretation would have seemed off the mark to him, Antigone and Creon are too complex to reduce to a schematic argument. Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for argument
Recent Examples of Synonyms for argument
Noun
  • Two rail gauges will meet The CKU project has adopted a dual-gauge design to resolve the long-standing technical dispute.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Countries are typically expected to attempt to resolve disputes before bringing them to the court.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Fans want to go inside, so just telling viewers the terms along with a one-line explanation goes a long way.
    Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The documents provide explanations of the company’s advertising and privacy practices, as well as members’ rights and controls.
    Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • One thoughtful question could turn a confusing discussion into a conversation people can genuinely learn from.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2026
  • The vigils, which drew tens of thousands of people a year, were the only large-scale public commemoration on Chinese soil of the Tiananmen crackdown, discussion of which is heavily censored in mainland China.
    Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The Falcons’ season begins this weekend; one that most are considering an evaluation year with an outside chance at playoff contention in a weak division.
    Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 9 Sep. 2026
  • No journey from a rebuild into a contention window happens without hardship.
    Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The victim got into a quarrel with his attacker at Rufus King Park near 89th Ave.
    Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The quarrel became physical, and a man pulled a gun and shot the woman in the right calf.
    Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 6 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Ray Washburne, co-chair of the Dallas host committee, said there were strong reasons for some lawmakers and candidates to pass on attending.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Rogers did not give a specific reason for her departure from the Education Department, which was first reported by National Public Radio.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Although the war in Europe and the Pacific dominates debates about Allied misconduct, the colonial character of World War II may tell us more about the origins of our present moment.
    Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026
  • And yet somehow their killing was subject to endless newsroom debates about language and standards.
    Ayman M. Mohyeldin, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The Washington Examiner has reached out to Fox News for comment on Freedman’s assertion.
    Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Issacharoff did not identify a source or time period for his assertion that births have exceeded deaths.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Argument.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/argument. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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