1
as in controversial
given to arguing
he's too argumentative to be part of a project in which teamwork is critical
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
an argumentative gang of bullies always looking for a fight
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
After winning modifications to the ballot label to remove argumentative and prejudicial language, taxpayers are suing the measure proponents over their ballot argument.
—
Jon Coupal,
Oc Register,
10 Apr. 2026
The course is designed to help students develop skills in reading, writing and academic discussion, Howard said, with a focus on literary analysis and working toward argumentative essays by the end of the year.
—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for argumentative
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
After winning modifications to the ballot label to remove argumentative and prejudicial language, taxpayers are suing the measure proponents over their ballot argument.
—
Jon Coupal,
Oc Register,
10 Apr. 2026
The course is designed to help students develop skills in reading, writing and academic discussion, Howard said, with a focus on literary analysis and working toward argumentative essays by the end of the year.
—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for argumentative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for argumentative
Adjective
-
In a controversial move, the Department of Education last year decided that certain healthcare studies – such as nursing, physician assistants and physical therapy – were not considered professional programs.
-
One of the most controversial things to happen in sports over the last five to seven years or so is the introduction of jersey ads.
Adjective
-
Grey-zone tactics refer to a range of aggressive tactics that vary from navy ship patrols to drone flights, but fall short of direct combat.
-
That will be decided in the coming hours, as the Heat remains in aggressive pursuit of a trade for Antetokounmpo.
Adjective
-
This is not so different from the Founders’ vision of democracy, in which a federal system with independent, coequal branches of government forces collisions of competing interests that can get contentious, even chaotic, before compromises are forged.
-
But with the Turnberry Agreement finally finding its footing, a reopening of wounds and a reignition of a contentious trade battle has likely held little appeal for the EU.
Adjective
-
In her account, Richmond indeed emerges as its progenitor—through his theorizing, his behind-the-scenes parliamentary and polemical maneuvering, and his patronage of Thomas Paine.
-
The slapstick titles—Crackned Horsez, To of Them, Ape Island, all 1972—further stymied any straightforwardly polemical takeaway.
Adjective
-
Fiber-optic, first-person view (FPV) drones have become a key weapon in the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah’s war against Israel in recent months – bypassing Israel’s sophisticated defense systems by duplicating an asymmetric warfare tactic that first emerged in the Russia-Ukraine war.
-
Children of the 1960s may recall that even within the militant activist group, Students for Democratic Society (SDS), animus was frequently directed not at the establishment but at fellow antiwar advocates.
Adjective
-
The weather service’s forecast discussion for Kansas City said the stubborn heat could last through the Fourth of July.
-
Against all odds, the stubborn housing market has become a hotspot for young talent.
Adjective
-
The complaint alleges that school officials at Southern Hills Middle School failed to stop two years of antisemitic harassment against an eighth grader even after investigations concluded the student faced a hostile environment.
-
Create an internal incident map and begin tagging hostile actions according to the DISARM taxonomy.
Adjective
-
The symptoms are so delayed that people often blame them on food poisoning, irritable-bowel syndrome, gluten intolerance.
-
Cancer could be affectionate and chatty one moment, and withdrawn and irritable the next, with little to no explanation.
Cite this Entry
“Argumentative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/argumentative. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
