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
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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 In his closing argument, Barnes insisted prosecutors didn't have enough to show premeditation in any of Zeah's actions, also leaning on Zeah's telling of other shooters at the time. Dennis Valera, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026 This is not an argument against compensating survivors. Jaime Huff, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026 The full story gives background on the horrific crime and Motyka's argument on why he is entitled to a new trial. Kathleen Hill, The Providence Journal, 31 Jan. 2026 This finding was used to support Tarvey’s argument that there were two killers in the house that night, a notion that prosecutors reject in the filing by saying a single individual can carry out two different types of attacks. Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for argument
Recent Examples of Synonyms for argument
Noun
  • The ruling advances Chiles toward resolving a dispute marked by errors that cost her the floor exercise bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Games.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The company added programmers’ streaming applications in Spectrum’s expanded basic packages to lower churn and had a slight bump in signups when Disney channels were unavailable for YouTube TV subscribers during a recent carriage dispute.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • But Payton can no longer live in the past as an explanation for his role in the future.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
  • There's just no other explanation.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The coastal cyclone is expected to bring moderate to heavy snow, along with high winds and possible blizzard conditions for the Carolinas through Saturday night, the weather service's Weather Prediction Center said in a forecast discussion.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Right before the crash, discussions captured on the cockpit voice recorder indicated that the pilot wanted the landing gear to be launched.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The requirement by insurers to provide receipts to prove losses of furniture, clothing and other personal property became a bone of contention soon after the fires in Pacific Palisades, Altadena and elsewhere that killed at least 31 people and destroyed more than 16,000 structures.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
  • That has sometimes created a bone of contention.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Some of the quarrels that divided Minneapolis city leaders only a few weeks ago, over policing or Gaza or the budget, have faded as people have come together to oppose ICE.
    Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
  • After all, this dispute is a business quarrel, rather than a personal one; while the lawsuit involves a college and a student, it’s better understood as a team trying to keep its star quarterback.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • There are, once again, a few reasons for this.
    Big Think, Big Think, 4 Feb. 2026
  • The 2026 reason to sending rockets into space has to do with infrastructure — first, internet satellites, and now, AI data centers in orbit, Bloomberg’s Matt Levine writes.
    semafor.com, semafor.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Ruhe said the debate reflects lessons learned from nearly two years of war.
    Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The Fulton County episode and Hanaway’s lawsuit underscore the broader national debate over how elections are conducted, counted, and challenged.
    Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Past recounts and court challenges have not backed up those assertions.
    Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • The Department of Homeland Security has argued that Haitians have other places to relocate, an assertion recently raised in federal court.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Argument.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/argument. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

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