argue

verb

ar·​gue ˈär-(ˌ)gyü How to pronounce argue (audio)
argued; arguing

intransitive verb

1
: to give reasons for or against something : reason
argue for a new policy
2
: to contend or disagree in words : dispute
They're always arguing about money.

transitive verb

1
: to give evidence of : indicate
The facts argue his innocence.
2
: to consider the pros and cons of : discuss
argue an issue
3
: to prove or try to prove by giving reasons : maintain
asking for a chance to argue his case
4
: to persuade by giving reasons : induce
couldn't argue her out of going
arguer
ˈär-gyə-wər How to pronounce argue (audio)
-gyü-ər
noun
Choose the Right Synonym for argue

discuss, argue, debate mean to discourse about in order to reach conclusions or to convince.

discuss implies a sifting of possibilities especially by presenting considerations pro and con.

discussed the need for a new highway

argue implies the offering of reasons or evidence in support of convictions already held.

argued that the project would be too costly

debate suggests formal or public argument between opposing parties

debated the merits of the amendment

; it may also apply to deliberation with oneself.

I'm debating whether I should go

Examples of argue in a Sentence

She argued against the proposed law. The senator argued in favor of lowering taxes. He's always willing to argue for what is right. She argued that the proposed law should be defeated. He argued that it's far too early to make a decision. No one can argue me out of doing this. They started arguing about politics. She would argue with anyone.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Now, perhaps swayed by Trump’s popular vote victory – the first for a Republican candidate in 20 years – many US conservatives appear to have changed their position, arguing the US is more a democracy than a republic. Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025 The states — California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New York and Wisconsin — said organizations within their states received the grants and argued the terminations violated a federal law that governs the agency rulemaking process. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2025 The imposition of the tariffs is also detrimental to the wider Caribbean Community, the Guyanese Chamber argues, and exacerbate the vulnerability of countries with already fragile economies. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025 Theater owners argue that their business has been hurt by studios’ insistence on releasing new films on home entertainment within a few weeks of their theatrical debuts. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for argue

Word History

Etymology

Middle English arguen "to present reasons or arguments, assert," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French arguer, borrowed from Latin arguere "to show, demonstrate, allege, bring a charge against, convict," probably going back to Indo-European *h2orǵ-u-i̯e- "make clear" (whence also Hittite arkuu̯ae- "make a plea"), derivative of *h2erǵ- "bright, white" — more at argent

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of argue was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Argue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/argue. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

argue

verb
ar·​gue ˈär-gyü How to pronounce argue (audio)
argued; arguing
1
: to give reasons for or against
argue in favor of lowering taxes
2
: to talk about some matter usually with different points of view
argue about politics
3
: to persuade by giving reasons
tried to argue their parents into getting a new car
arguer noun

Legal Definition

argue

verb
ar·​gue
argued; arguing

intransitive verb

1
: to give reasons for or against a matter in dispute
arguing for an extension
2
: to present a case in court
will argue for the defense

transitive verb

1
a
: to give reasons for or against
argued the issue before the judge
b
: to prove or try to prove by giving reasons or evidence
will argue invasion of privacy
2
: to present in court
lawyers in court filing briefs and arguing appealsRorie Sherman
arguable adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on argue

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