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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of argumentative
Authorities say Phillips became argumentative and moved toward the mayor, prompting an officer to step in between them.
—
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Contrarian doesn’t quite describe me; my rejection of The Pitt isn’t an attempt to appear provocative or argumentative.
—Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
Smith objected, saying that Bouffard’s question was argumentative.
—Emerson Clarridge
updated March 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026
Still, Saunders, a short-story master, has now written two consecutive novels about final reckonings watched over by comically argumentative spirits.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for argumentative
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Contrarian doesn’t quite describe me; my rejection of The Pitt isn’t an attempt to appear provocative or argumentative.
—Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
Smith objected, saying that Bouffard’s question was argumentative.
—Emerson Clarridge
updated March 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026
Still, Saunders, a short-story master, has now written two consecutive novels about final reckonings watched over by comically argumentative spirits.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for argumentative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for argumentative
Adjective
-
The pitch is for the old Applied Composites site, on which a controversial development project called the Lexington Club received city approval more than a decade ago, but didn’t ultimately come about, according to the city.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
-
Other roasters had also poked fun at Hart for taking part in the controversial fest.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Boston Red Sox could be aggressive, and have the prospects to swing a deal.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
-
In 1981, reggae artist Bob Marley died in a Miami hospital at age 36 after battling an aggressive skin cancer.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
This comes after a federal appeals court's April 21 decision to uphold a contentious Texas law requiring public school districts to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, setting the stage for a potential Supreme Court fight.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
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Fiery moments from the governor’s debate Democratic frontrunners Xavier Becerra and billionaire Tom Steyer faced fierce attacks Wednesday during a contentious gubernatorial debate in Los Angeles.—
Deputy Managing Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Colleges and universities nationwide continue to grapple with polemic issues associated with the fair treatment of individuals of differing backgrounds, political persuasions, and sexuality.—
Blake D. Morant,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
This kind of depravity, licentiousness and polemical theatrics has no place on such a traditional and once wholesome presentation of the coming of a new year in our great nation and especially on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the greatest experiment in democracy and freedom in history.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant violence in recent years, much of it blamed on the TTP, a separate group but an ally of the Afghan Taliban, which returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.—
Riaz Khan,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
Israel and the militant group have repeatedly accused one another of violating the agreement.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Abby, how does one work with stubborn husbands?—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
-
Ahead, Katie Sullivan, the director of issue communications at the American Cleaning Institute, shares the best way to remove sticky, greasy residue from pot lids, at-home solutions for tackling even the most stubborn residue, and the one mistake to avoid that can make cleanup more difficult.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Women, people of color, and first-generation professionals were too often told their accurate perceptions of hostile environments were merely internal distortions.—
Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
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Others, like Michael (Doon Mackichan), seem openly hostile.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
That’s because the Moon is at odds with Mars today and everyone is irritable.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
7 May 2026
-
What are the symptoms of irritable bowel disease?—
Lindy Segal,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Argumentative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/argumentative. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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