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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
  • But it's been hard as a journalist to watch the wall-to-wall coddling of one of the most controversial figures of the past decade.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • So, that means the new book by Charles Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother, has been a little controversial in some circles.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of controversial
Adjective
  • The customized coupe features a T-top roof, aggressive aero body kit, and a graphics package that could have appeared in the original The Fast and the Furious.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026
  • At 5-10, 198 pounds, Parrish mostly played nickel corner in Todd Bowles’ aggressive scheme and shined as a rookie.
    — PJ Green September 24, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 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
  • The conflicting statements came just days after Pakistani fighter jets struck sites in eastern Afghanistan that Islamabad said were militant hideouts, an escalation between Kabul and Islamabad that threatens mediation efforts by regional powers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Pakistan often accuses Kabul of sheltering the TTP and turning a blind eye to cross-border militant attacks.
    — Riaz Khan, Los Angeles Times, 18 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
  • The lawsuit is one of at least 13 cases filed in 2026 by current and former Independence Police Department officers alleging hostile work environments and dysfunction within the department.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Chambliss aims to join them while avoiding a long list of talented signal callers who fell apart in one of the sport’s most-hostile environments.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Sep. 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 29 Sep. 2026.

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