Argument

/ˈɑːɡjʊmənt/ · noun

Meaning

(countable, also figuratively) A fact or statement used to support a proposition; a reason..

Definitions by Sense

1. (countable, also figuratively) A fact or statement used to support a proposition; a reason.
2. (countable) A process of reasoning; argumentation.
3. (countable) An abstract or summary of the content of a literary work such as a book, a poem or a major section such as a chapter, included in the work before the content itself; (figuratively) the contents themselves.
4. (countable) A verbal dispute; a quarrel.
5. (by extension, humorous or euphemistic) Any dispute, altercation, or collision.
6. (countable, linguistics) Any of the phrases that bear a syntactic connection to the verb of a clause.
7. The independent variable of a function.
8. The phase of a complex number.

Example Sentences

There is no greater, at leaſt no more palpable and convincing Argument of the Exiſtence of a Deity than the admirable Art and Wiſdom that diſcovers itſelf in the make and conſtitution, the order and diſpoſition, the ends and uſes of all the parts and members of this ſtately fabrick of Heaven and Earth.

Says Plowdon [i.e., Edmund Plowden], the whale so caught belongs to the King and Queen, “because of its superior excellence.” And by the soundest commentators this has ever been held a cogent argument in such matters.

Indeed, I cannot commend my life; for I am conſcious to my ſelf of many failings: therein, I know alſo that a man by his converſation, may ſoon overthrow what by argument or perſwaſion he doth labour to faſten upon others for their good: […]

For if the Idea be not agreed on, betwixt the Speaker and Hearer, for which the Words ſtand, the Argument is not about Things, but Names.

I shuddered when I thought of the possible consequences of my consent; but I felt that there was some justice in his argument.

Meanwhile, the authoritarianism, which has turned left-liberalism into a movement for sneaks and prudes, was always going to play into the hands of the right. Free citizens have stopped listening to those who respond to the challenge of argument by screaming for the police to arrest the politically incorrect or for universities to ban speakers who depart from leftish orthodoxy.

If I would broach the veſſels of my loue, / And try the argument of hearts, by borrowing, / Men, and mens fortunes, could I frankely vſe / As I can bid thee ſpeake.

The neighbours got into an argument about the branches of the trees that extended over the fence.

Synonyms for argument

Antonyms for argument

Related Words

Word Forms

• arguments
• arguement
• argumenting
• argumented
• no-table-tags
• glossary
• argument
• argumentest
• argumentedst
• argumenteth
• -

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions