argument

noun

ˈär-gyə-mənt How to pronounce argument (audio)
Definition of argumentnext
1
as in dispute
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions the couple's arguments were often loud enough to be heard all over the neighborhood

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2
as in explanation
a statement given to explain a belief or act gave a solid argument for the redeeming value of the shockingly violent movie

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3
as in discussion
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue the president of the Senate has allotted a week for the argument of the treaty

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4
as in contention
an idea or opinion that is put forth in a discussion or debate it's my argument that we have too many problems here on earth to concern ourselves with manned trips to Mars

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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 argument Jodie Michelle Abrams, who was accused of following another woman in her car after an argument, was charged with bringing a gun onto school property and communicating threats, Mint Hill police said. — Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026 Jurors deliberated for three and a half hours Thursday after the prosecution and defense made their closing arguments in Plymouth Superior Court. — Kristina Rex, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 After hours of argument that at times grew tense, a hearing Thursday ended without a ruling from Magistrate Judge Lauren Louis, and the Tates were returned to jail. — Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 Too often, the forceful arguments of Rankine and her peers—and the electric anger of the George Floyd protests—were used by the opportunistic and aggrieved to justify abrupt changes to unprepared institutions. — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for argument
Recent Examples of Synonyms for argument
  1. dispute
  2. explanation
  3. discussion
  4. contention
  5. quarrel
  6. reason
  7. debate
  8. assertion
Noun
  • The planned center for arbitrating investment and commercial disputes, for example, will sit within the Syrian Investment Authority, which is itself attached to the presidency.
    — Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Adair died in jail following a dispute with deputies, including Fatherley, who knelt on his back.
    — Sofi Zeman August 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • But in Silicon Valley, a different, more sinister explanation for the anti-data center movement has taken hold.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The most compelling explanation so far comes from Nepal’s hydrology department.
    — Milad Haghani, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of explanation
Noun
  • Walking in on them during an intimate discussion only seems to confirm it.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Sullivan spoke with attorneys at sidebar about the request, but the discussion was inaudible to observers in the courtroom at Plymouth Superior Court.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of discussion
Noun
  • The Hawkeyes could be a good team but go 0-3 and see their CFP hopes dashed, but even one victory could keep them in Playoff contention.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • That might be a problem for the Commanders because their contention is that these Redskins items are sold on a limited availability.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of contention
Noun
  • Based on a Joseph Conrad story, the period drama follows two officers in Napoleon’s army (Keith Carradine and Harvey Keitel) whose minor quarrel condemns them to 15 years of repeatedly trying to kill each other.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • As the quarrel escalated, the man stabbed her multiple times all over her body in the park near Eastern Parkway and Rochester Ave.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of quarrel
Noun
  • Salesforce and other software stocks have perked up over the past month, as sentiment around the group improved for a couple of reasons, including a Reuters report on take-private talks involving HR software provider Workday .
    — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • At face value, young men exercising should not be reason to sound the alarms, and yet there is something treacherous about men in their formative years placing physical beauty as the ultimate expression of self-actualization.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of reason
Noun
  • While the referendum debate has almost entirely centered on the economy – for example, the potential impact of joining the Eurozone and changing fishing policy – the vote is not happening in a vacuum.
    — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Their debates can get heated, but Gray, who describes himself as a conflict-averse person in a high-conflict business, says the criticism should never be personal.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of debate
Noun
  • Despite Bonta’s assertion Wednesday that the states made no compromises, the agreement drops a key demand that children be barred from using Facebook and Instagram at school.
    — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • They were all also alleged to have been prostitutes, though recent scholarship has challenged that assertion.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of assertion

Browse Nearby Words

arguing
argument
argumentation
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Cite this Entry

“Argument.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/argument. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on argument

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about argument

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