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Recent Examples of argument This unpublished work could be a test of an argument rather than endorse the model, Del Santo wrote in a analysis paper. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026 One man was killed after an argument led to a shooting in Kansas City’s Midtown-Westport neighborhood Thursday night, police said. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026 After an argument, Granado shot Lazo and then turned the gun on himself, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026 Central to the Petito appeal is the argument that Utah's Constitution prohibits lawmakers from limiting or eliminating the right to recover for wrongful death. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 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
  • But the movement has widened to include workers demanding relief from rising living costs, making the government’s task broader than resolving a dispute over university admissions.
    — Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Debt, the deficit and high interest rates limit the government’s ability to increase spending and foreshadow disputes over how to fund campaign promises without jeopardizing social programs.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • The likelier explanation, Seth said, is that the models have absorbed a great deal of information about how humans describe and respond to pain and are reproducing it.
    — Shae Lake, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • When two upcoming shows in Chicago were canceled without explanation, Hall released a statement.
    — Jack Denton, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of explanation
Noun
  • At least two federal bills to regulate AI in politics are pending discussion and approval by lawmakers.
    — Anagilmara Vílchez, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
  • SpaceX is attempting to build the fourth nationwide wireless carrier by combining its Starlink direct-to-device network with ground infrastructure, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with discussions.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of discussion
Noun
  • One matter of strong contention is Lee's opposition to the war in Gaza and her condemnation of the policies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
    — Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Those contentions — and Bartell’s claim of a second list of 17,000 potential noncitizen voters — only add to an already heated debate about the scope of the inquiry and its legitimacy.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of contention
Noun
  • When a quarrel over an inheritance revives old hostilities, their relationship comes under pressure from greed and treachery in a conflict not of their making.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Aly’s quarrel begins with a name; Luna’s arrives at the rank implied by father.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of quarrel
Noun
  • For next year’s admissions, institutions would have to publish more detailed selection criteria and explain rejections when applicants request reasons.
    — Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • For that reason, Republicans believe the seat is a likely pickup this fall in what is otherwise a difficult midterm environment.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of reason
Noun
  • Essential California asked the bishop about his letter and the church’s role in the immigration debate while checking in with a couple of Catholic scholars who offered their perspectives.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • This seems like a perfectly reasonable debate/dialogue/deliberation to have without everybody--well, most bodies--running for the exits.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of debate
Noun
  • Vote banks had thus turned into vehicles of collective political assertion.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Trump has repeatedly denied ordering the disruption of Starlink, despite Musk's public assertions that the order would have come from the White House.
    — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 23 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about argument

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