: as may be argued or shown by argument
an arguably effective strategy
used to say that a statement is very possibly true even if it is not certainly true
He was arguably the greatest writer of his era.

Examples of arguably in a Sentence

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.
O’Neil earned arguably the best reviews of her career in 1920 for her performance in The Passion Flower. Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026 Yes, Minteh and Sarr both operate on the right and buying one of them arguably would have provided a better balance to Iraola’s attacking department given that his other wide players prefer the left flank. James Pearce, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Bonnell That is arguably more significant than the headline horsepower number. New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026 The bigger feat, arguably, was the civic work to make an event like this possible. Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arguably

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of arguably was in 1851

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Cite this Entry

“Arguably.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arguably. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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