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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 While the folksy, friendly Readers’ Digest-style publications have faded, some thoughtful if politically argumentative ones still thrive – The Atlantic and The Economist, for example. Peter Bart, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025 In 2020, a longtime bus driver was shot and killed by an argumentative passenger. Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 2 Dec. 2024 Sometimes, defiant and argumentative behavior results when a child attempts to assert control. Amy Morin, Parents, 24 July 2024 John Gottman and his wife Julie Schwartz Gottman have seen their fair share of argumentative blunders in their decades of research on couples. Allie Volpe, Vox, 12 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for argumentative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for argumentative
Adjective
  • The plaintiffs argued the displacement was motivated by a desire to limit readers' access to books with viewpoints that are unpopular and controversial in the area.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • McLaren made a controversial decision at the Italian Grand Prix, swapping Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri's positions at the end of the race.
    Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Mid-summer changes to United’s revolving credit facility indicated a switch in strategy, and there was a more aggressive approach in the market following a summit in Iceland between Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The occurrences grew more aggressive over time, with the Smurls' 75-pound German shepherd getting slammed into a wall and Jack getting attacked while praying.
    Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Real World alum and life coach Kelley Wolf plans to attend a treatment center amid her contentious divorce from her estranged husband, Party of Five actor Scott Wolf.
    Ryan Coleman September 2, EW.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Such a contentious course will never happen as there are many opposed to such a radical move.
    Vipin Bharathan, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Israel launched its assault on the Gaza Strip in October 2023, after fighters from Hamas, the Palestinian militant group in control of the territory, attacked Israeli communities, killing 1,200 people and capturing more than 250 hostages.
    Stephanie van den Berg, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
  • The military that took over Burkina Faso in a 2022 coup has grown increasingly intolerant of dissent amid worsening Islamist militant violence in the West African country.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This book is exactly the kind of radical pamphlet Zinn cites as an essential American form: polemical ideas, plainly written, and published in simple, short volumes that are easily shared and easily hidden away.
    James Folta, Literary Hub, 30 July 2025
  • Hernández’s humor has never been political or polemical.
    Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Trump has been hostile to renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, and prioritizes fossil fuels for electricity.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter took it as a hostile act and approached Prescott, meeting face-to-face with him.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Of all the bad-hair-day culprits, matted hair can be the most stubborn and frustrating.
    Grace McCarty, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Spills can be blotted (never rubbed) with a dry cloth since the fabric is non-absorptive, and for more stubborn stains, dry cleaning is recommended.
    Zoë Sessums, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead, Helen is allowed to be irritable and anti-social, chain-smoking and snappish, without the filmmaker casting judgment.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
  • If you are rushed or irritable, say so.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Argumentative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/argumentative. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

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