1
as in discussion
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue
wouldn't be a cricket match without a little argy-bargy over the umpire's every call
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in quarrel
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
the perennial argy-bargy over whether the monarchy should be abolished
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 argy-bargy
Now all that manic football, the back-and-forth, the argy-bargy, the disputed, disallowed or not-given penalties, the unrelenting and unforgiving pace, were distilled into this moment and Arsenal were bearing down.
—
Chris Waugh, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Chris Waugh, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for argy-bargy
Noun
-
Fourteen months after Crow-Armstrong and the Cubs started contract discussions, the sides agreed to a six-year, $115 million extension through the 2032 season.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The very structure of the discussion can begin to suppress caution.—
Jane Sadowsky,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Department of Defense’s quarrel with the Anthropic began after the company refused to back down over contractual guardrails around the use of its Claude AI model in autonomous weapons and mass surveillance.—
Devan Cole,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
-
My quarrel is not with the science of LNG itself.—
Joel McPherson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Abbott, Patrick brawl over complete ban The debate over a complete ban on THC was one of the most high-profile issues in the Texas Legislature's regular session last year.—
Steven Rosenbaum,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
At its core, this debate is a value judgment about what belongs in a basic high school education.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
NewJeans, one of the most exciting and innovative recent K-pop groups, has been largely inactive since 2024 due to a baroque legal dispute with the HYBE subsidiary ADOR.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Last month, Boulee directed Fulton County and the Justice Department to mediate the dispute instead of going to court, but that mediation failed, Boulee said, resulting in Friday's hearing.—
Jacob Rosen,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The directors’ lab will support filmmakers preparing their first features, while the writers’ lab will offer workshops, table reads, peer mentorship and one-on-one consultations to help emerging screenwriters refine their scripts.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The process for patients to get approval to die involves submitting two requests in writing followed up by consultations with medical professionals not previously involved in the case.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Brockton man charged after allegedly shooting at officers Jailson Andrade, 44, faces several charges after allegedly firing at Brockton Police officers during an altercation early Sunday morning, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The pair have been in physical altercations in the past, including Manning's 2012 arrest for allegedly punching, scratching, kicking and choking Hartman – whom media outlets have referred to as Manning's former make-up artist and assistant – and slamming her head against the floor and wall.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Mireya Mayor does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.—
Mireya Mayor,
The Conversation,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The position consults with medical, social work, rehabilitation, education, nursing, custody and other personnel regarding program planning and evaluation and the development of direct and indirect services — with medical and other clinical consultation as necessary.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The dynamic left senators convinced that the deal was the only way to move past their disagreements and reopen the Homeland Security Department.—
Stephen Groves,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The goal is not to manufacture disagreement.—
Jane Sadowsky,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Argy-bargy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/argy-bargy. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
