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 People with TBIs may have a shorter fuse, be more argumentative, display inappropriate behavior, make riskier decisions and begin abusing substances. — Donnisa Edmonds, jsonline.com, 31 July 2026 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 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
  • Labrador, a controversial figure, outraised Hickman by hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to the Idaho Secretary of State Office’s website.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 4 Nov. 2026
  • California voters decided on 14 measures on their ballot, ranging from the controversial — like the billionaire’s tax and tighter deadlines on environmental permitting — to the unchallenged — like the housing affordability bond.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of controversial
Adjective
  • Environmentalists flex considerable muscle in the state and found an ally in Newsom, though the outgoing governor’s aggressive climate agenda ran into affordability and federal challenges in recent years.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • And definitely the lyrics are a lot more aggressive from Roger.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • Skip to Main Content Concert Review The first of a historic five-night run at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was contentious and confounding.
    — DeAsia Paige, AJC.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The Ravens, meanwhile, are 4-4 and sit at the bottom of a contentious AFC North.
    — Jason Cohen, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of contentious
Adjective
  • Speaking a few weeks after the launch of Tom Cruise-starring satirical polemic Digger, Wishart feels docs and features about this subject matter have become overly preachy.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The title that evokes Ernest Hemingway points at the polemical nature of some of the essays in the book.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of polemical
Adjective
  • Tensions between Israel and militant group Hezbollah ratcheted up in 2023 when the latter intensified attacks along Israel’s northern border in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks on the south of the country.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups regularly target anti-polio drives and police protecting health workers, falsely claiming that polio vaccination campaigns are part of a Western conspiracy to sterilize children.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of militant
Adjective
  • But Democrats face a tall task ahead, economists say, especially because the broader economic challenges that vexed voters stem from global conflicts like the Iran war and stubborn inflation.
    — Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • With corporate profits and consumer spending remaining healthy, layoffs also remain low despite stubborn inflation and recent jitters in the stock market over whether the pace of AI investment is sustainable.
    — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of stubborn
Adjective
  • The Navy's Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen, known as SWCCs, are elite maritime operators training to operate high-speed, heavily armed boats that transport Navy SEALs into and out of hostile territory, along with other maritime missions.
    — James LaPorta, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Even as crime drops and car crashes recede, New York’s streets and parks have grown increasingly hostile to those who are frail, slow, disabled, or small.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of hostile
Adjective
  • Murray says her own experience has made her more understanding when female colleagues seem more tired or irritable than usual, particularly when the behavior is out of character.
    — Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Could be because for much of the running time, Abrams’ Jay Gardiner is up against what looks like a very large irritable sphincter.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 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 11 Nov. 2026.

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