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 People with TBIs may have a shorter fuse, be more argumentative, display inappropriate behavior, make riskier decisions and begin abusing substances. — Donnisa Edmonds, jsonline.com, 31 July 2026 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 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
  • But Lamont says the consumers are actually paying less this year than last year due to the complicated nuances of the controversial public benefits charges.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The agency has become controversial over aggressive immigration enforcement tactics that precipitated a government shutdown earlier this year.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of controversial
Adjective
  • But Adebayo was aggressive and found a rhythm early on, totaling 24 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the field and 8-of-9 shooting from the foul line, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals on Wednesday.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • That is leading to unprecedented support for more aggressive federal action on health care.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • Another particularly contentious ad released last month featured two local politicians calling on Vang to be fired.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The more contentious scenario would be akin to 1976, when Republicans filibustered until a new election was held for a Senate seat in New Hampshire.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of contentious
Adjective
  • Speaking a few weeks after the launch of Tom Cruise-starring satirical polemic Digger, Wishart feels docs and features about this subject matter have become overly preachy.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The title that evokes Ernest Hemingway points at the polemical nature of some of the essays in the book.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of polemical
Adjective
  • The ministry described the confrontation as an assault on militant positions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • More than 1,550 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed by the Israeli military since the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas began in October 2025, according to the territory's health ministry.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of militant
Adjective
  • An honor that seems to bring things full circle for that stubborn little girl who dreamed of performing on stages around the world from her farm.
    — Ilaria Perrotta, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026
  • How To Remove Leaf Stains With Chlorine Bleach Bleach is very effective at removing stubborn leaf stains, along with mildew and moss.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of stubborn
Adjective
  • Defeat effectiveness exceeded approximately 75 to 80 percent, while operator observations indicated the system was even more effective at preventing hostile UAS from successfully completing their missions.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Yet another challenge came from the local community, which has historically been hostile to new development.
    — Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • Murray says her own experience has made her more understanding when female colleagues seem more tired or irritable than usual, particularly when the behavior is out of character.
    — Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Could be because for much of the running time, Abrams’ Jay Gardiner is up against what looks like a very large irritable sphincter.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 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 2 Nov. 2026.

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