: as may be argued or shown by argument
an arguably effective strategy
used to say that a statement is very possibly true even if it is not certainly true
He was arguably the greatest writer of his era.

Examples of arguably in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
When your ability to think atrophies, well, that’s arguably a whole lot worse. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 So did Tim Curry, who's arguably as iconic to fans of a certain movie, also at 80. Holly J. Morris, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026 Jay Toia had arguably his best day in a Cowboys uniform on Saturday night in Arizona, but the room is well-built in front of him. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026 But the new study used corals from what is arguably the best place to look, the Galápagos Islands in the eastern tropical Pacific. Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arguably

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of arguably was in 1851

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Cite this Entry

“Arguably.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arguably. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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