argumentative

adjective

ar·​gu·​men·​ta·​tive ˌär-gyə-ˈmen-tə-tiv How to pronounce argumentative (audio)
variants or less commonly argumentive
1
: given to argument : tending to argue : having or showing a tendency to disagree or argue with other people in an angry way : disputatious
He became argumentative when confronted with the allegation.
an argumentative temperament
… had been a pigheaded, argumentative, irascible, and unlikable man …Colleen McCullough
2
: consisting of or characterized by argument
argumentative discourse
aired their opinions in an argumentative way
argumentatively adverb

Examples of argumentative in a Sentence

He became more argumentative during the debate. he's too argumentative to be part of a project in which teamwork is critical
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.
Sometimes, defiant and argumentative behavior results when a child attempts to assert control. Amy Morin, Parents, 24 July 2024 John Gottman and his wife Julie Schwartz Gottman have seen their fair share of argumentative blunders in their decades of research on couples. Allie Volpe, Vox, 12 May 2024 After 11 argumentative public hearings and much political grandstanding, the Common Council approved the artwork, which was dedicated in April 1982. Journal Sentinel, 23 May 2024 While there’s an occasional corny line here, Hanna and Sander wisely keep dialogue on the humorous and/or argumentative side — after all, these are figures who’ve learned the hard way not to admit emotional vulnerability. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for argumentative 

Word History

Etymology

see argue

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of argumentative was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near argumentative

Cite this Entry

“Argumentative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/argumentative. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

argumentative

adjective
ar·​gu·​men·​ta·​tive ˌär-gyə-ˈment-ət-iv How to pronounce argumentative (audio)
: marked by or given to argument : quarrelsome
argumentatively adverb

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