argue
/ˈɑːɡjuː
/verb (argues, arguing, argued)
1 [reporting verb] Give reasons or cite evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory, typically with the aim of persuading others to share one’s view: [with clause]: sociologists argue that inequalities in industrial societies are being reduced [no object]: he argued for extra resources [with direct speech]: ‘It stands to reason,’ she argued...
- Some people argue that libertarianism is not a theory of equality or mutual advantage.
- Supporters argue that wind farms are a small price to pay for saving the planet.
- Some argue that boxing has a lower death rate per year from acute injury than other sports.
Synonyms
contend, assert, declare, maintain, state, proclaim, advance, insist, hold, claim, aver, avow, reason, attest, expostulate, testify, swear, certify;
propound, submit, posit, postulate, adduce, move, advocate, opine, allege;
make a case for, give reasons for, defend, explain, vindicate, justify
technical depose, represent
rare asseverate
1.1 [with object] (argue someone into/out of) Persuade someone to do or not to do (something) by giving reasons: I tried to argue him out of it...
- I'm glad you liked the part where Angela's arguing Ember into ditching school, but I'm not sure why… er, thanks!
- Yemen's judges have pioneered apparently effective ways of ‘deprogramming’ them by arguing them out of their warped view of the world.
- He probably could send envoys to most UIA deputies and argue them out of supporting him.
Synonyms
persuade to, convince to, prevail on to, coax into;
talk someone round
dissuade from, persuade against, talk out of
2 [no object] Exchange or express diverging or opposite views, typically in a heated or angry way: the two men started arguing in a local pub figurative I wasn’t going to argue with a gun [with object]: she was too tired to argue the point...
- Few in this country would argue with the view that the regime is unacceptable.
- The locals were incensed and came out of their homes to argue with the soldiers.
- Of that Borg is certain, and who would argue with one who dominated Wimbledon like no other?
Synonyms
quarrel, disagree, row, squabble, bicker, fight, wrangle, dispute, feud, have a row, bandy words, have words, cross swords, lock horns, be at each other's throats;
dissent, clash, differ, be at odds
informal fall out, scrap, argy-bargy, argufy, spat, go at it hammer and tongs, fight like cat and dog
archaic altercate
Phrases
argue the toss
Derivatives
arguer
- Mom also was an inveterate arguer and would defend her point of view to the end.
- First, arguers must convey to opponents that they are understood, and then they must delineate the aspects of opponents' positions that are valid.
- Instead, this national competition aspires to find the great arguers of the next generation - the politicians, lawyers and philosophers - and pit them against each other.
Origin
Middle English: from Old French arguer, from Latin argutari 'prattle', frequentative of arguere 'make clear, prove, accuse'.