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argument
[ ahr-gyuh-muhnt ]
noun
- an oral disagreement; verbal opposition; contention; altercation:
a violent argument.
- a discussion involving differing points of view; debate:
They were deeply involved in an argument about inflation.
- a process of reasoning; series of reasons:
I couldn't follow his argument.
- a statement, reason, or fact for or against a point:
This is a strong argument in favor of her theory.
- an address or composition intended to convince or persuade; persuasive discourse.
- subject matter; theme:
The central argument of his paper was presented clearly.
- an abstract or summary of the major points in a work of prose or poetry, or of sections of such a work.
- Mathematics.
- an independent variable of a function.
- Also called amplitude. the angle made by a given vector with the reference axis.
- the angle corresponding to a point representing a given complex number in polar coordinates. Compare principal argument.
- Computers. a variable in a program, to which a value will be assigned when the program is run: often given in parentheses following a function name and used to calculate the function.
- Obsolete.
- evidence or proof.
- a matter of contention.
argument
/ ˈɑːɡʊəԳ /
noun
- a quarrel; altercation
- a discussion in which reasons are put forward in support of and against a proposition, proposal, or case; debate
the argument on birth control will never be concluded
- sometimes plural a point or series of reasons presented to support or oppose a proposition
- a summary of the plot or subject of a book, etc
- logic
- a process of deductive or inductive reasoning that purports to show its conclusion to be true
- formally, a sequence of statements one of which is the conclusion and the remainder the premises
- logic an obsolete name for the middle term of a syllogism
- maths
- an element to which an operation, function, predicate, etc, applies, esp the independent variable of a function
- the amplitude of a complex number
Other Word Forms
- ·g·Գ noun
Word History and Origins
Idioms and Phrases
see under pick a quarrel .Synonym Study
Example Sentences
Paramount’s lawyers have pushed back against Trump’s arguments and CBS journalists have maintained they did not distort the Harris interview.
“I’m bound by the evidence that I have,” Thurston concluded at the end of arguments.
Writing on social media, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: "Even Tony Blair now says the push for Net Zero has become 'irrational' and 'hysterical'. We are winning the argument!"
For some in Delta, the president's argument about fairness resonates….
The Trump administration has appealed the rulings, arguing district judges should not be able to issue nationwide orders, and the Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on May 15.
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Related Words
More About Argument
is an argument?
An argument is a spoken disagreement or altercation between two people, The argument between the couple began with a disagreement over who’s turn it was to empty the dishwasher.
An argument is also a debate, as in The argument about whether or not to buy new playground equipment went back and forth for over an hour.
An argument is a series of reasons, as in The debating team always prepared an argument on the importance of debating teams.
An argument is also a theme or central argument, as in an essay.
Example: The debate turned into a heated argument when the missing money was brought up.
Where does argument come from?
The first records of the term argument come from the 1300s. It comes from the Latin ūԳٳܳ.
Arguments arise when two points of view cannot align. Arguments can be caused by differences of opinion, honest misunderstandings, or outright lies. For example, a couple might have an argument about doing household chores because one person has a stronger desire for cleanliness than the other person does. Arguments like these can be found in just about any situation and can typically be resolved with a compromise.
Did you know … ?
are some other forms related to argument?
- reargument (noun)
- argumentation (noun)
- argumentative (adjective)
are some synonyms for argument?
are some words that share a root or word element with argument?
are some words that often get used in discussing argument?
How is argument used in real life?
Argument is commonly used to describe a discussion with two or more conflicting viewpoints.
You ever be killin it in an argument and then just sit back and be like…wow…I really should pursue a career in law.
— Zendaya (@Zendaya)
I've got a new challenge for everyone today. Pick somebody that you had an argument with that you think you hate maybe even someone you haven't spoken to in years and contact that person and tell them I love you.
— ye (@kanyewest)
Every argument ain’t a fall out
— Waka Flocka (WakaFlocka.eth) (@WakaFlocka)
Try using argument!
Which of the following is NOT a synonym for argument?
A. agreement
B. altercation
C. debate
D. disagreement
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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