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
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Recent Examples of argumentative
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
After 11 argumentative public hearings and much political grandstanding, the Common Council approved the artwork, which was dedicated in April 1982.
—Journal Sentinel, 23 May 2024
While there’s an occasional corny line here, Hanna and Sander wisely keep dialogue on the humorous and/or argumentative side — after all, these are figures who’ve learned the hard way not to admit emotional vulnerability.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for argumentative
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
After 11 argumentative public hearings and much political grandstanding, the Common Council approved the artwork, which was dedicated in April 1982.
—Journal Sentinel, 23 May 2024
While there’s an occasional corny line here, Hanna and Sander wisely keep dialogue on the humorous and/or argumentative side — after all, these are figures who’ve learned the hard way not to admit emotional vulnerability.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for argumentative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for argumentative
Adjective
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Following his controversial decision to play the Lakers’ second-half starters for the entirety of Game 4 — a first in NBA playoff history — Redick defended the decision at his practice media availability and his pre-Game 5 availability.—
Jovan Buha,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
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Rust — The controversial Alec Baldwin movie in which cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was accidentally shot to death during filming — is a bust in its opening weekend in theaters.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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Even so, the aggressive play in this post-season has stood out.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
11 May 2025
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However, thanks to aggressive conservation efforts, including predator control programs, habitat restoration, and breeding initiatives, several kiwi species have seen rebounds.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
Adjective
-
This is a flawed sin; trying to make something happen in a contentious area with a bunch of people who had their own history.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2025
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On contentious problems like TikTok’s status in America, Trump has already bucked political orthodoxy, delaying a ban repeatedly to convince China to allow its sale.—
J. Tedford Tyler,
Time,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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The Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the latest missile, but a spokesman for the militant group has said previous launches targeted military facilities in Israel.—
Tamar Michaelis,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
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India may also take the stronger step of striking militant groups in Pakistan to satisfy the public’s demand for action.—
Michael Kugelman,
Time,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
Hernández’s humor has never been political or polemical.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2025
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For too long, Democratic leaders have pulled their polemical punches, seemingly afraid of losing someone’s vote somewhere or offending the Beltway ideal of staying safely within the cocoon of Reagan-O’Neill bipartisanship.—
Mark Green,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And Marguerite did actually manage to live there for years, scraping together a life on the hostile tundra.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2025
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And this is a very hard-line government that has taken a kind of hostile view of everybody in the region.—
Obed Manuel,
NPR,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
Get The Recipe Smart Move Similar recipes with beans and peas existed before then, but a challenge made to a stubborn chef named Helen Corbitt spurred the creation of Texas caviar.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
17 May 2025
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When tragedy strikes on Michigan roads—when a car skids off an icy bend or a semi-truck barrels through a red light—victims are often left to face not only devastating injuries but also a daunting legal maze of corporate denials and stubborn insurers.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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It is believed to reduce pain and inflammation, and has been used for treatment of back pain, high blood pressure, arthritis, migraines, and irritable bowel disease.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
4 Apr. 2025
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And even in what was a stilted match played in an increasingly irritable atmosphere, Rogers and Tielemans delivered with an assist each.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Argumentative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/argumentative. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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