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 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 Trotsky’s arguments about revolution in one nation versus a revolution of the international proletariat, like the fine argumentative tracery of Paul’s Jewish Christians versus Greek ones, seemed vital to the movement at the time but weirdly trivial and abstract to those outside it. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 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 fallout from that controversial attempt has divided the soccer landscape, with continental confederations and individual national associations all split on whether a change in FIFA leadership is needed.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • This curved, laughing hyena is a reference to the Laffer Curve, a famous — and controversial — economic theory named after economist Arthur Laffer.
    — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of controversial
Adjective
  • His preference for a 4-2-3-1 has been evident, however, and the German is looking for Newcastle to be aggressive in the press, intensive and also direct, with a plan to get the ball forward as quickly as possible.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Throughout his scuffles, however, Boone felt Grisham had gotten more aggressive inside the strike zone.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • Stassi Anastassov, former Duracell CEO, has taken the helm at Ferretti Group following a contentious boardroom battle, despite his lack of prior yachting experience.
    — Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • At a contentious Senate hearing in July 2021, Paul repeatedly clashed with Fauci and accused him of lying about the government funding research in Wuhan.
    — Michael Collins, USA Today, 7 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
  • Abductions at schools are common in Nigeria, where militant groups target them to put pressure on the government and extract ransoms.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The agreement, part of a broader ceasefire deal reached last year, calls for Israel to cease its military operations and for Hamas and its allies in Gaza to halt all militant activity.
    — Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of militant
Adjective
  • Volatile job numbers, stubborn inflation and changes to the Fed’s communications style are all stirring up uncertainty in markets and raising the stakes for upcoming economic data releases — including this week’s inflation report.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The softening job market may complicate the calculation for the Federal Reserve, which is also battling stubborn inflation.
    — Scott Horsley, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of stubborn
Adjective
  • The high risk of – and challenges of addressing – oil spills and other safety incidents in the hostile Arctic climate are another dissuading factor, as are environmental costs of operating there.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The episode picks up when Bret and Robert have their first tense interaction — their vaguely hostile and lightly homoerotic back-and-forth continues to be the highlight of the show for me.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • 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
  • Whether a balanced market can be achieved with competing cartels will be an interesting experiment in a sometimes-irritable trade relationship.
    — Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 4 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 15 Aug. 2026.

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