argumentative

adjective

ˌär-gyə-ˈmen-tə-tiv How to pronounce argumentative (audio)
Definition of argumentativenext
1
as in controversial
given to arguing he's too argumentative to be part of a project in which teamwork is critical

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight an argumentative gang of bullies always looking for a fight

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in contentious
relating to or causing the expression of opposing opinions a topic that sparked more than a few argumentative conversations around the watercooler

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 argumentative And that's especially true in a big, raucous, diverse, argumentative democracy like the United States of America. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 18 June 2026 Why Leaders Often Reward It Leaders sometimes mistake argumentative energy for leadership potential. — Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 Democracies are inherently argumentative. — Richard Torrenzano, Fortune, 26 May 2026 Hosts sometimes have an argumentative style or adopt rhetorical strategies such as irony, jokes, and humor. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for argumentative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for argumentative
  1. controversial
  2. aggressive
  3. contentious
  4. polemical
  5. militant
  6. stubborn
  7. hostile
  8. irritable
Adjective
  • Cunningham's controversial remarks came in an ESPN interview last month, saying her position is a matter of common sense.
    — S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Mayor Andre Dickens is opposing a controversial plan to move the famed Olympic cauldron from Atlanta’s Summerhill neighborhood.
    — Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of controversial
Adjective
  • Raman said the city has lost tens of thousands of film jobs under Bass and said Los Angeles needs a more aggressive film tax credit to compete with other states.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Philadelphia came out aggressive in the second half, took control of the game, and tied it in the 58th minute on a close-range header from Neil Pierre on a cross from Milan Iloski after a free kick.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • Gonzalez appeared at a contentious July congressional hearing in which the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History director, Anthea Hartig, was grilled on matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion in its programming.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Arsenal looks to repeat last season’s championship run, and their contentious loss to PSG in the Champions League final could serve as further incentive for Mikel Arteta’s squad to run riot.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of contentious
Adjective
  • Even so, the film’s gaze is more anthropological than polemical, especially given the faux-doc vibe created by its abundant handheld camerawork, seemingly filmed sometimes by the actors themselves.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Now, in the 1500s and 1600s, that phrase was often used by Catholics in their polemical war against Protestants.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026
Definition of polemical
Adjective
  • That 2023 event saw Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups kill 1,195 Israelis and foreign nationals and abduct 251 people.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026
  • In early September, 1972, a Palestinian militant group called Black September infiltrated the Olympic Games in Munich and killed eleven Israeli athletes.
    — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of militant
Adjective
  • The versatile 5-in-1 scissors tackle everything from opening stubborn packaging to cutting herbs and cracking nuts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Supporters say soaring demand for electricity for AI data centers and EVs is colliding with California’s push for 100% clean power, leaving a stubborn gap in round-the-clock, low-carbon supply that should be met by nuclear.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of stubborn
Adjective
  • Alice and Gemma really don’t seem to get along, and neither seems inclined to back down from their hostile postures.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The true target of the strike was Turkey, which has grown increasingly hostile toward Israel since the war in Gaza, and over its differing approach to Syria.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • Skipping meals can negatively affect blood sugar levels and leave you feeling hungry, irritable, and unable to pay attention.
    — Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Bill Murray plays Phil Connors, an irritable, cynical weatherman sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to report a story about the town’s quaint groundhog ceremony.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritable

Browse Nearby Words

argumentations
argumentative
arguments
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Cite this Entry

“Argumentative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/argumentative. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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