Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense argues, present participle arguing, past tense, past participle argued
1. verb
If one person argueswith another, they speak angrily to each other about something that they disagree about. You can also say that two people argue.
The committee is concerned about players' behaviour, especially arguing with referees. [VERB + with]
They were still arguing; I could hear them down the road. [VERB]
[Also V + about/over]
Synonyms: quarrel, fight, row, clash More Synonyms of argue
2. verb
If you tell someone not to arguewith you, you want them to do or believe what you say without protest or disagreement.
Don't argue with me. [VERB + with]
The children go to bed at 10.30. No one dares argue. [VERB]
3. verb
If you arguewith someone about something, you discuss it with them, with each of you giving your different opinions.
He was arguing with the King about the need to maintain the cavalry at full strength. [V + with/about/over]
They are arguing over foreign policy. [V + about/over]
The two of them sitting in their office were arguing this point. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: discuss, debate, dispute, thrash out More Synonyms of argue
4. verb
If you arguethat something is true, you state it and give the reasons why you think it is true.
His lawyers are arguing that he is unfit to stand trial. [VERB that]
It could be argued that the exam questions were too difficult. [beVERB-ed that]
[Also V with quote, V n]
Synonyms: claim, question, reason, challenge More Synonyms of argue
5. verb
If you argue for something, you say why you agree with it, in order to persuade people that it is right. If you argue against something, you say why you disagree with it, in order to persuade people that itis wrong.
The report argues against tax increases. [V + for/against]
I argued the case for an independent central bank. [VERB noun]
6. verb
If you argue, you support your opinions with evidence in an ordered or logical way.
I've argued deductively from the text. [VERB adverb/preposition]
He argued persuasively, and was full of confidence. [VERB adverb/preposition]
[Also VERB]
7. verb
If you say that no-one can arguewith a particular fact or opinion, you are emphasizing that it is obviously true and so everyone must accept it.
[spoken, emphasis]
We produced the best soccer of the tournament. Nobody would argue with that. [VERB + with]
[Also VERB that]
8. to argue the toss
Phrasal verbs:
See argue out
More Synonyms of argue
argue in British English
(ˈɑːɡjuː)
verbWord forms: -gues, -guing or -gued
1. (intransitive)
to quarrel; wrangle
they were always arguing until I arrived
2. (intr; often foll by for or against)
to present supporting or opposing reasons or cases in a dispute; reason
3. (tr; may take a clause as object)
to try to prove by presenting reasons; maintain
4. (tr; often passive)
to debate or discuss
the case was fully argued before agreement was reached
5. (transitive)
to persuade
he argued me into going
6. (transitive)
to give evidence of; suggest
her looks argue despair
Derived forms
arguer (ˈarguer)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Old French arguer to assert, charge with, from Latin arguere to make clear, accuse; related to Latin argūtus clear, argentum silver
argue in American English
(ˈɑrgju)
verb intransitiveWord forms: ˈargued or ˈarguing
1.
to give reasons (for or against a proposal, proposition, etc.)
2.
to have a disagreement; quarrel; dispute
verb transitive
3.
to give reasons for and against; discuss; debate
4.
to try to prove by giving reasons; maintain; contend
5.
to give evidence of; seem to prove; indicate
his manners argue a good upbringing
6.
to persuade (into or out of an opinion, etc.) by giving reasons
SIMILAR WORDS: disˈcuss
Derived forms
arguer (ˈarguer)
noun
Word origin
ME arguen < OFr arguer < VL argutare, for L argutari, to prattle, freq. of arguere, to make clear, prove < IE base *ar(e)g-, gleaming (see argent); OFr meaning and form infl. by arguere
More idioms containing
argue
argue the toss
Examples of 'argue' in a sentence
argue
Few would argue with the case for reviewing what looks like a nuclear white elephant.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We can argue about precisely how close our relationship should be.
The Sun (2016)
He also argues that the likely cost of a rollout cited in reports is wrong.
Computing (2010)
Some did and if you want to argue the case you should invite the people here who made that argument.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He doesn't treat her right and they always argue.
The Sun (2016)
So it's about the way people argue?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He argues that only one solution to the problem is genuinely under a carmaker's control.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Crazy times, he argued, need a sensible guy.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Banks argue that having a maximum monthly fee for overdraft charges would end'free' banking.
The Sun (2016)
This has over the years been a more difficult case to argue.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We were arguing about who got the most.
The Sun (2006)
The sceptic could always argue that such objective changes might have occurred anyway.
Dylan Evans PLACEBO: The Belief Effect (2003)
We think of people arguing or churches splitting.
Christianity Today (2000)
We loved one another but argued all the time.
The Sun (2012)
He says reformers argue that it would not entail the demise of the established church.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The committee also argued that some of the behavioural science is still open to challenge.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
We need politicians to argue for us and not against each other.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The big banks argue that the advisers are walking a fine line.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They continued arguing their case over dinner.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We spend a lot of time arguing about whether plastic and cardboard cartons are different products.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
My wife and my mother always argue.
The Sun (2010)
Some people argue that it is unfair that defendants do not receive similar protection.
The Sun (2016)
They argue that life cannot go on without one.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It also argues that its international businesses will be profitable in six to ten years.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Pepper argues that remuneration committees face a dilemma.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Other researchers argue that we need a whole new vocabulary.
Dylan Evans PLACEBO: The Belief Effect (2003)
The banks also argue that the risks were pointed out.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
You could argue that to give fair coverage to all of the population would require a publication hundreds of pages long.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We only argue when we disagree about something, or try to make each other perform better.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They then discuss things, argue about them and move on to the next point of disagreement.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Others disagree, arguing instead that the price of singles should be doubled.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
argue
British English: argue /ˈɑːɡjuː/ VERB
If you argue with someone, you disagree with them about something, often angrily.
They spent most of the time arguing with each other.