1
as in controversial
given to arguing
he's too argumentative to be part of a project in which teamwork is critical
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
an argumentative gang of bullies always looking for a fight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in contentious
relating to or causing the expression of opposing opinions
a topic that sparked more than a few argumentative conversations around the watercooler
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of argumentative
While the folksy, friendly Readers’ Digest-style publications have faded, some thoughtful if politically argumentative ones still thrive – The Atlantic and The Economist, for example.
—
Peter Bart, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025
In 2020, a longtime bus driver was shot and killed by an argumentative passenger.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 2 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for argumentative
Peter Bart, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025
In 2020, a longtime bus driver was shot and killed by an argumentative passenger.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 2 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for argumentative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for argumentative
Adjective
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Trump administration officials strutted through Union Station amid its deployment of federal law enforcement and National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., arguing the controversial action is bringing down crime.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
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Key Facts Abrego Garcia, who was born in El Salvador but lived in Maryland when the Trump administration mistakenly deported him in March, was released from federal custody Friday but still faces trial on criminal charges brought by the administration during his controversial removal.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
In addition to doing his job defensively, Garcia was aggressive in pushing up from his spot at left back and getting involved in the offensive attack.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Aug. 2025
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In the interview, Mustafa describes Seeley as inattentive and overly aggressive, both with his words and even physically in otherwise friendly pillow fights.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Footage recently surfaced from a wild brawl that took place on a Carnival Cruise ship, but the origin is contentious.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
21 Aug. 2025
-
The state Legislature held an hourslong hearing this week that turned contentious amid interruptions and partisan clashes.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Palestinian militant group also abducted more than 250 hostages.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Aug. 2025
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Now, that was never actually true, and certainly on January 6th, when a lot of the members of these militant groups went to the Capitol and attacked police officers, injuring more than 100 of them, their love for law enforcement was not genuine.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This book is exactly the kind of radical pamphlet Zinn cites as an essential American form: polemical ideas, plainly written, and published in simple, short volumes that are easily shared and easily hidden away.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
30 July 2025
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Hernández’s humor has never been political or polemical.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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The climate for filmmakers looking to interrogate the Russian war effort remains hostile.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
31 Aug. 2025
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The president’s hostile, but at times confusing, remarks over the last several days have put the city on edge as leaders condemned the plan as unnecessary and dangerous.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The Myth That Won’t Die: 'Nobody Scrolls' For years, there’s been this stubborn idea in web design that everything important has to be above the fold.—
Talie Smith,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
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Fire signs are assertive, passionate and creative; Earth signs are dependable, stubborn and grounded; Air signs are curious intellectuals with a knack for socializing, and Water signs are known to tap into universal undercurrents, navigating emotions.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Avi tries to comfort his grieving (read: irritable) mother by saying at least his grandmother and grandfather are together again in Heaven.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
22 Aug. 2025
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For years men have blamed divorce on menopause and said women are irritable and irrational, says Alyx Coble-Frake, founder of The Agenda, an app that helps women track their menstrual cycle to help increase productivity.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Argumentative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/argumentative. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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