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
While the folksy, friendly Readers’ Digest-style publications have faded, some thoughtful if politically argumentative ones still thrive – The Atlantic and The Economist, for example.
—
Peter Bart, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025
In 2020, a longtime bus driver was shot and killed by an argumentative passenger.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 2 Dec. 2024
Sometimes, defiant and argumentative behavior results when a child attempts to assert control.
—Amy Morin, Parents, 24 July 2024
John Gottman and his wife Julie Schwartz Gottman have seen their fair share of argumentative blunders in their decades of research on couples.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 12 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for argumentative
Peter Bart, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025
In 2020, a longtime bus driver was shot and killed by an argumentative passenger.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 2 Dec. 2024
Sometimes, defiant and argumentative behavior results when a child attempts to assert control.
—Amy Morin, Parents, 24 July 2024
John Gottman and his wife Julie Schwartz Gottman have seen their fair share of argumentative blunders in their decades of research on couples.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 12 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for argumentative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for argumentative
Adjective
-
The plaintiffs argued the displacement was motivated by a desire to limit readers' access to books with viewpoints that are unpopular and controversial in the area.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
McLaren made a controversial decision at the Italian Grand Prix, swapping Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri's positions at the end of the race.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Mid-summer changes to United’s revolving credit facility indicated a switch in strategy, and there was a more aggressive approach in the market following a summit in Iceland between Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The occurrences grew more aggressive over time, with the Smurls' 75-pound German shepherd getting slammed into a wall and Jack getting attacked while praying.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The contentious issue, which was regarded as a momentous turning point when it was adopted by the European Union in 2023, has been a hot topic at the IAA Mobility auto show in Munich this week.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
-
One of those was his contentious divorce with his first wife Denise Richards.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Jeffrey Breinholt, an architect of the material support statutes who spent three decades as a federal terrorism prosecutor, defends the laws as crucial to closing loopholes that were exploited by foreign militant groups and their domestic sympathizers.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
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Lellouche stars as unlikely hero Zem, a disillusioned Zone 3 cop with an idealistic militant past, who is teamed with haughty, high-flying Zone 2 officer Salia, played by Adèle Exarchopoulos, after a leading politician is assassinated in Zone 1.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This book is exactly the kind of radical pamphlet Zinn cites as an essential American form: polemical ideas, plainly written, and published in simple, short volumes that are easily shared and easily hidden away.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
30 July 2025
-
Hernández’s humor has never been political or polemical.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
Trump has been hostile to renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, and prioritizes fossil fuels for electricity.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter took it as a hostile act and approached Prescott, meeting face-to-face with him.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Of all the bad-hair-day culprits, matted hair can be the most stubborn and frustrating.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Spills can be blotted (never rubbed) with a dry cloth since the fabric is non-absorptive, and for more stubborn stains, dry cleaning is recommended.—
Zoë Sessums,
Architectural Digest,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Instead, Helen is allowed to be irritable and anti-social, chain-smoking and snappish, without the filmmaker casting judgment.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
-
If you are rushed or irritable, say so.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Argumentative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/argumentative. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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