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 According to prosecutors, Burke and Rivas Hernandez exchanged argumentative text messages on April 22, 2025. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 23 July 2026 The argumentative duo are summoned to investigate a murder in rural Nebraska that has mysterious connections to dangerous extraterrestrials. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 16 July 2026 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 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
  • The idea of using data from health information exchanges for research is controversial because of privacy concerns.
    — Brittany Trang, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The claim was made this week by Charles Spencer himself, the ninth Earl Spencer, in Swan Song, his controversial memoir about his sister Princess Diana.
    — Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of controversial
Adjective
  • These two phases of work are joined by Serra’s implicit disavowal of abstraction as a form of imagemaking in favor of an object’s aggressive purchase on the real.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Her challenger is Herb Morgan, a Republican from San Diego who promises a more aggressive approach to the job.
    — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • The Bears are pursuing a contentious move to Indiana, where state officials have offered over $1 billion in public support to build a new stadium in the northeast city of Hammond, just on the other side of the Illinois border.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Mulambo Haimbe said Washington had agreed to remove contentious data-sharing provisions.
    — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 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
  • Israel said the overnight strike targeted Izz al-Din Bik, a commander in the Hamas militant group.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The militant group took over roughly one-third of Iraq after key Iraqi army divisions collapsed and retreated in the onslaught.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of militant
Adjective
  • The 10-year yield’s rapid climb above 5% shows how quickly investors’ expectations have shifted toward additional tightening from the Federal Reserve in light of stubborn inflation.
    — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Simulations show a surface coating cuts the energy needed to strip sulfur from 2D materials, easing a stubborn chip manufacturing problem.
    — Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of stubborn
Adjective
  • In a hostile divorce proceeding, the first camp to attack has a major advantage.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The mission’s goal is to evaluate how the chips fare during the launch, as well as in the hostile space environment.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • Coach There’s no better feeling than walking into your last show of the day, irritable and hungry, only to discover that snacks are being served.
    — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026
  • If a relative or housemate seems irritable, ask what’s going on instead of working around the mood.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 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 3 Oct. 2026.

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