An argument is a statement or set of statements that you use in order to try to convince people that your opinion about something is correct.
There's a strong argument for lowering the price. [+ for]
The doctors have set out their arguments against the proposals. [+ against]
It is better to convince by argument than seduce by example.
Synonyms: reason, case, reasoning, ground(s) More Synonyms of argument
2. variable noun
An argument is a discussion or debate in which a number of people put forward different or opposing opinions.
The incident has triggered fresh arguments about public spending. [+ about/over]
The issue has caused heated political argument.
Synonyms: debate, questioning, claim, row More Synonyms of argument
3. countable noun
An argument is a conversation in which people disagree with each other angrily or noisily.
Anny described how she got into an argument with one of the marchers. [+ with]
...a heated argument.
[Also + between]
4. uncountable noun
If you accept something without argument, you do not question it or disagree with it.
He complied without argument.
It should of course be given back. There is no argument about that.
5. See also counter-argument
More Synonyms of argument
argument in British English
(ˈɑːɡjʊmənt)
noun
1.
a quarrel; altercation
2.
a discussion in which reasons are put forward in support of and against a proposition, proposal, or case; debate
the argument on public sector pay will continue
3. (sometimes plural)
a point or series of reasons presented to support or oppose a proposition
4.
a summary of the plot or subject of a book, etc
5. logic
a.
a process of deductive or inductive reasoning that purports to show its conclusion to be true
b.
formally, a sequence of statements one of which is the conclusion and the remainder the premises
6. logic
an obsolete name for the middle term of a syllogism
7. mathematics
a.
an element to which an operation, function, predicate, etc, applies, esp the independent variable of a function
b.
the amplitude of a complex number
argument in American English
(ˈɑrgjumənt; ˈɑrgjəmənt)
noun
1. Archaic
proof or evidence
2.
a reason or reasons offered for or against something
3.
the offering of such reasons; reasoning
4.
a discussion in which there is disagreement; dispute; debate
5.
a short statement of subject matter, or a brief synopsis of a plot; summary
6. Obsolete
a topic; theme
7. Ancient Mathematics
independent variable
SYNONYMY NOTE: argument refers to a discussion in which there is disagreement and suggests the use of logicand the bringing forth of facts to support or refute a point; , dispute basically refers to a contradiction of an assertion and implies vehemence or angerin debate; , controversy connotes a disagreement of lengthy duration over a matter of some weight or importance[the Darwinian controversy]
Word origin
ME < OFr or L: OFr < L argumentum, evidence, proof < arguere: see argue
COBUILD Collocations
argument
central argument
circular argument
compelling argument
deploy an argument
dismiss an argument
economic argument
fierce argument
furious argument
intellectual argument
legal argument
moral argument
persuasive argument
present an argument
rational argument
reasoned argument
reject an argument
the argument is simple
valid argument
Examples of 'argument' in a sentence
argument
So we instead made a broader argument about taking back control.
The Sun (2016)
It is not an easy argument to win.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It was quite an argument to make.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The wiser ones accept that the argument has moved on from them.
The Sun (2017)
It is this insight that gives his book its argument.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But it is worth recalling what this argument is about.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This was always our strongest argument.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This is worth recording because very few people won arguments with Tversky.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Of course, arguments will rain down as to why it should not happen.
The Sun (2017)
That is not a good argument for our people and I have to look forward for the best solution for our players to win again.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
That is not an argument but a case of special pleading.
Christianity Today (2000)
Just because an argument might fit need not make it the correct argument.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Or should he make a different argument?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This is the point in the argument that people burst out laughing.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Write an essay to support your argument.
Bachmann, Susan (editor) & Barth, Melinda Between Worlds: A Reader, Rhetoric and Handbook (1995)
There is no argument about whether or not it will happen.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Yet the most compelling thing about this book is its argument that courage can actually be taught.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
During the course of the argument the taxi driver punched the artist in the face.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Yet the arguments against doing something are based on unfounded fears.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
He is raising money and winning arguments.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
She had the great ability to make the complex arguments easy to understand for all involved.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Why use weak arguments when strong ones will do?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We can make this argument more general.
Mishkin, Frederic S. Financial Markets, Institutions and Money (1995)
Opening arguments in the case are to be heard at the end of the month.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The argument is that people always need pills and potions to cure their ills.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
But we found no statistical evidence to support this argument.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The first big argument was about whether or not we should marry in church.
Butterworth, Jane Why Am I Afraid to Divorce? (1994)
It was more than one argument.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Neither of these arguments is correct.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He has heard many different arguments.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The Committee was not convinced by their arguments.
Coyle, Andrew & Stern, Vivien The Prisons We Deserve (1994)
Needless to say, my argument was not accepted by the ombudsman.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
If this altruistic argument does not convince, there is a more compelling commercial argument.
Thompson, Sir Peter Sharing the Success - the story of NFC (1990)
His Lordship did not accept that argument.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Quotations
Argument seldom convinces anyone contrary to his inclinationsThomas FullerGnomologia
The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progressJoseph JoubertPensées
In other languages
argument
British English: argument /ˈɑːɡjʊmənt/ NOUN
If people have an argument, they disagree with each other, often angrily.
She had an argument with one of the marchers.
American English: argument
Arabic: جِدَال
Brazilian Portuguese: discussão
Chinese: 争论
Croatian: prepirka
Czech: hádka
Danish: skænderi
Dutch: ruzie
European Spanish: discusión debate
Finnish: kiista
French: dispute
German: Streit
Greek: επιχείρημα
Italian: discussione
Japanese: 口論
Korean: 논쟁
Norwegian: diskusjon
Polish: spór
European Portuguese: discussão
Romanian: ceartă
Russian: ссора
Latin American Spanish: discusión razonamiento
Swedish: gräl
Thai: การโต้เถียง
Turkish: tartışma
Ukrainian: суперечка
Vietnamese: sự tranh luận
All related terms of 'argument'
re-argument
the process or act of rearguing a legal case , issue , etc
fierce argument
An argument is a conversation in which people disagree with each other angrily or noisily.
legal argument
An argument is a statement or set of statements that you use in order to try to convince people that your opinion about something is correct .
moral argument
An argument is a statement or set of statements that you use in order to try to convince people that your opinion about something is correct .
valid argument
An argument is a statement or set of statements that you use in order to try to convince people that your opinion about something is correct .
central argument
An argument is a statement or set of statements that you use in order to try to convince people that your opinion about something is correct .
circular argument
An argument is a statement or set of statements that you use in order to try to convince people that your opinion about something is correct .
closing argument
In a court case , a lawyer's closing argument is their final speech , in which they give a summary of their case.
counter-argument
A counter-argument is an argument that makes an opposing point to another argument.
economic argument
An argument is a statement or set of statements that you use in order to try to convince people that your opinion about something is correct .
furious argument
An argument is a conversation in which people disagree with each other angrily or noisily.
rational argument
An argument is a statement or set of statements that you use in order to try to convince people that your opinion about something is correct .
reasoned argument
An argument is a statement or set of statements that you use in order to try to convince people that your opinion about something is correct .
compelling argument
An argument is a statement or set of statements that you use in order to try to convince people that your opinion about something is correct .
cosmological argument
one of the arguments that purport to prove the existence of God from empirical facts about the universe , esp the argument to the existence of a first cause
deploy an argument
An argument is a statement or set of statements that you use in order to try to convince people that your opinion about something is correct .
intellectual argument
An argument is a statement or set of statements that you use in order to try to convince people that your opinion about something is correct .
ontological argument
the traditional a priori argument for the existence of God on the grounds that the concept itself necessitates existence
persuasive argument
An argument is a statement or set of statements that you use in order to try to convince people that your opinion about something is correct .
reject an argument
An argument is a statement or set of statements that you use in order to try to convince people that your opinion about something is correct .
teleological argument
the argument purporting to prove the existence of God from empirical facts , the premise being that the universe shows evidence of order and hence design
third man argument
(in the philosophy of Aristotle ) the argument against the existence of Platonic Forms that since the Form of Man is itself a perfect man, a further form (the " third " man) would be required to explain this, and so ad infinitum
argument from design
→ another name for teleological argument
dismiss an argument
An argument is a statement or set of statements that you use in order to try to convince people that your opinion about something is correct.
present an argument
An argument is a statement or set of statements that you use in order to try to convince people that your opinion about something is correct .
transcendental argument
an argument designed to make explicit the conditions under which a certain kind of knowledge is possible , esp those of Kant
the argument is simple
An argument is a statement or set of statements that you use in order to try to convince people that your opinion about something is correct .
Chinese translation of 'argument'
argument
(ˈɑːɡjumənt)
n(c/u)
(= quarrel) 争(爭)吵 (zhēngchǎo) (阵(陣), zhèn)
(= reason) 论(論)点(點) (lùndiǎn) (个(個), gè)
to get into an argument (with sb)(和某人)开(開)始一场(場)争(爭)论(論) ((hé mǒurén) kāishǐ yī chǎng zhēnglùn)
an argument for/against sth赞(贊)成/反对(對)某事的论(論)据(據) (zànchéng/fǎnduì mǒushì de lùnjù)
1 (noun)
Definition
a point presented to support or oppose a proposition
There's a strong argument for lowering the price.
Synonyms
reason
I hope you have a good reason for your behaviour.
case
Jefferson presented the case for independence in a vivid and convincing manner.
reasoning
the reasoning behind the decision
ground(s)
defence
a spirited defence of the government's economic progress
excuse
There is no excuse for what he did.
logic
The plan was based on sound commercial logic.
justification
I knew there was no justification for what I was doing.
rationale
the rationale for punishment
polemic
dialectic
He spent much time learning rhetoric and dialectic.
line of reasoning
argumentation
2 (noun)
Definition
a discussion
The issue has caused heated political argument.
Synonyms
debate
There has been a lot of debate about this point.
questioning
claim
There is no evidence to support her claim that her son was injured.
row
discussion
There was a discussion about the wording of the report.
dispute
issue
Is it right for the Church to express a view on political issues?
controversy
The proposed cuts have caused considerable controversy.
pleading
plea
contention
Sufficient research evidence exists to support this contention.
assertion
assertions that the recession is truly over
polemic
a polemic against the danger of secret societies
altercation
remonstrance
expostulation
remonstration
3 (noun)
Definition
a quarrel
She got into a heated argument with a stranger.
Synonyms
quarrel
I had a terrible quarrel with my other brothers.
fight
He had a big fight with his dad last night.
row
The meeting descended into an unpleasant row.
clash
Inside government, there was a clash of views.
dispute
The dispute between them is settled.
controversy
disagreement
My instructor and I had a brief disagreement.
misunderstanding
a misunderstanding between friends
feud
a long and bitter feud between families
barney (informal)
squabble
There have been minor squabbles about phone bills.
wrangle
He was involved in a legal wrangle with the Health Secretary.
bickering
difference of opinion
tiff
She was walking home after a tiff with her best friend.
altercation
I had an altercation with some people who objected to our filming.
falling out (informal)
Opposites
accord
,
agreement
,
concurrence
phrase
See without argument
Quotations
Argument seldom convinces anyone contrary to his inclinations [Thomas Fuller – Gnomologia]The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress [Joseph Joubert – Pensées]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of altercation
Definition
a noisy argument
I had an altercation with some people who objected to our filming.
Synonyms
argument,
row,
clash,
disagreement,
dispute,
controversy,
contention,
quarrel,
squabble,
wrangle,
bickering,
discord,
dissension
in the sense of assertion
Definition
a positive statement, usually made without evidence
assertions that the recession is truly over
Synonyms
statement,
claim,
allegation,
profession,
declaration,
contention,
affirmation,
pronouncement,
avowal,
attestation,
predication,
asseveration (formal)
in the sense of case
Definition
the evidence offered in court to support a claim
Jefferson presented the case for independence in a vivid and convincing manner.