argument
noun
ar·gu·ment ˈär-gyə-mənt 
1
a
: the act or process of arguing, reasoning, or discussing : argumentation
b
: a coherent series of reasons, statements, or facts intended to support or establish a point of view
a defense attorney's closing argument
c
: an angry quarrel or disagreement
having an argument over/about money
trying to settle an argument
2
a
: a reason given for or against a matter under discussion
They presented their arguments in favor of the proposal.
b
: a form of rhetorical expression intended to convince or persuade
3
: an abstract (see abstract entry 2 sense 1) or summary especially of a literary work
4
: the subject matter especially of a literary work
5
a
mathematics : one of the independent variables upon whose value that of a function depends
b
grammar : a substantive (such as the direct object of a transitive verb) that is required by a predicate in grammar
c
mathematics : amplitude sense 4
6
obsolete : an outward sign : indication
Synonyms
- altercation
- argle-bargle [chiefly British]
- argy-bargy [chiefly British]
- battle royal
- bicker
- brawl
- contretemps
- controversy
- cross fire
- disagreement
- dispute
- donnybrook
- falling-out
- fight
- hassle
- imbroglio
- kickup
- misunderstanding
- quarrel
- rhubarb
- row
- scrap
- set-to
- spat
- squabble
- tiff
- wrangle
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
They made a compelling argument for our participation. The committee presented strong arguments against building a new school. a lawyer's closing argument at the trial His argument did not convince his opponents. Let us accept, for the sake of argument, that she is right. Don't you want to hear both sides of the argument? They were always getting into arguments about politics. There were many arguments about the new design. They settled an argument that started in class. I don't want to hear any arguments about whether you'll go. See More
Recent Examples on the Web An argument between two couples escalated to an exchange of gunfire that left three of the four people injured in DeKalb County on Monday evening, according to police. 
Rosana Hughes, ajc, 29 Aug. 2022 Yet Zatko's argument that Musk is correct hinges on counting spam bots that aren't part of the mDAU number. Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 29 Aug. 2022 That is an argument, Heidi, that a lot of Democrats have been making. ABC News, 28 Aug. 2022 That argument, which ignores how the Declaration enhances our understanding of the legal rights that are provided in the Constitution’s amendments, is ... Bernard S. Sharfman, National Review, 28 Aug. 2022 My argument — which Fouts always espoused — was that no football coach in the last half-century affected the game as much as Don. Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Aug. 2022 In one sense, the Italian humanists’ argument, as Mr. Hankins explains it, is both apposite and unassailable. Barton Swaim, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2022 Underneath, Google summarizes an inaccurate argument, highlighting that the ones identified as the extremists were antifa. Wired, 18 Aug. 2022 Trump’s argument and ordered his accountants to turn over his and his company’s financial records to prosecutors. Fortune, 18 Aug. 2022 See More
Rosana Hughes, ajc, 29 Aug. 2022 Yet Zatko's argument that Musk is correct hinges on counting spam bots that aren't part of the mDAU number. Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 29 Aug. 2022 That is an argument, Heidi, that a lot of Democrats have been making. ABC News, 28 Aug. 2022 That argument, which ignores how the Declaration enhances our understanding of the legal rights that are provided in the Constitution’s amendments, is ... Bernard S. Sharfman, National Review, 28 Aug. 2022 My argument — which Fouts always espoused — was that no football coach in the last half-century affected the game as much as Don. Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Aug. 2022 In one sense, the Italian humanists’ argument, as Mr. Hankins explains it, is both apposite and unassailable. Barton Swaim, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2022 Underneath, Google summarizes an inaccurate argument, highlighting that the ones identified as the extremists were antifa. Wired, 18 Aug. 2022 Trump’s argument and ordered his accountants to turn over his and his company’s financial records to prosecutors. Fortune, 18 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin argumentum, from arguere — see argue
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6
Phrases Containing argument
Kids Definition
argument
noun
ar·gu·ment ˈär-gyə-mənt
1
: an angry disagreement : quarrel
2
: a reason for or against something
There's a strong argument for changing the law.
3
: a discussion in which reasons for and against something are given Let's hear both sides of the argument.
Legal Definition
argument
noun
ar·gu·ment
1
: a reason or the reasoning given for or against a matter under discussion compare evidence, proof
2
: the act or process of arguing, reasoning, or discussing
especially : oral argument
argument
noun
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- dispute
- quarrel
- disagreement
- altercation
- controversy
- fight
- bicker
- misunderstanding
- debate
- disputation
- row
- brawl
- squabble
- spat
- skirmish
- tiff
- imbroglio
- battle royal
- feud
- clash
- argle-bargle
- contretemps
- wrangle
- objection
- cross fire
- difference
- contention
- donnybrook
- rhubarb
- argy-bargy
- set-to
- scrap
- tussle
- falling-out
- kickup
- protest
- attack
- protestation
- logomachy
- tangle
- hassle
- vendetta
- dissension
- dissention
- run-in
- melee
- fisticuffs
- fuss
- catfight
- fracas
- affray
- fray
- mêlée
- free-for-all
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
- explanation
- reason
- justification
- rationale
- case
- apology
- accounting
- excuse
- defense
- account
- appeal
- plea
- vindication
- alibi
- apologia
- rationalization
- pretext
- pretense
- pretence
- guise
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
- discussion
- debate
- consultation
- argumentation
- consult
- talk
- conversation
- dialogue
- meeting
- deliberation
- conference
- dialog
- colloquy
- counsel
- confabulation
- palaver
- parley
- council
- consultancy
- confab
- argy-bargy
- symposium
- discourse
- seminar
- back-and-forth
- negotiation
- chat room
- roundtable
- forum
- give-and-take
- chat
- bull session
- bargaining
- disquisition
- skull session
- skull practice
- talkathon
- rap
- words
- pourparler
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
- contention
- assertion
- hypothesis
- thesis
- theory
- assumption
- guess
- proposition
- proposal
- hunch
- speculation
- conjecture
- explanation
- rationale
- reason
- presupposition
- surmise
- case
- stand
- position
- supposition