Definition of argumentnext
1
2
as in explanation
a statement given to explain a belief or act gave a solid argument for the redeeming value of the shockingly violent movie

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in contention
an idea or opinion that is put forth in a discussion or debate it's my argument that we have too many problems here on earth to concern ourselves with manned trips to Mars

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of argument Writing strips out the reactive tone that damages trust and forces people to engage with the actual argument instead of the way it was said. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 The counter-argument that these groups already get the same knowledge from Iran, which gets it from China, Russia, and North Korea, is largely true. — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026 Witness statements and video surveillance showed Lindo drawing a black handgun during an argument involving several individuals, including a professional UFC fighter. — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Johnny told Schill about Taylor & Byrne’s argument, and starting now, Morgan needs to act as if Gabe is not his son. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for argument
Recent Examples of Synonyms for argument
Noun
  • Around the same time, Congress established the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, an administrative body that adjudicates patent disputes.
    — Andrei Iancu, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • There was also a physical dispute between Parillo and Amy Helm after her removal, during which police were called to LHS in Woodstock.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • But conventional explanations emphasizing liberalism’s association with economic development and the rise of a middle class cannot fully account for ideological shifts.
    — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
  • But the younger Trejo’s account at least offers an explanation for why his father took the job with Shapiro’s Daily Wire.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • No discussion of nuclear deterrence should ever lose sight of the human lives behind those words.
    — Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Those discussions reveal how employees think and give managers a chance to coach reasoning, not just review the final deliverable.
    — Samir Dutta, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • But the bold irreverence that drew droves of devoted readers to Jezebel brought contention, too.
    — Meredith Maran, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The fourth team in World Series contention, the Tampa Bay Rays, stands just above the Guardians in payroll at 25th, with about $98 million on the books.
    — Isaac Tellechea, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • When a quarrel over an inheritance revives old hostilities, their relationship comes under pressure from greed and treachery in a conflict not of their making.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Aly’s quarrel begins with a name; Luna’s arrives at the rank implied by father.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • All the more reason for leaders to play the generosity sweepstakes in ways that are advantageous to them.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • For that reason, Everett’s proposal is known as the Many Worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Giving Americans $1,000 or $5,000 invested in a technology index is a straightforward idea; The source and use of the funds will likely be of great debate.
    — Sarah Cannon, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Congress weighs competing proposals Anthropic’s draft enters a crowded legislative debate over how the United States should regulate frontier AI.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The battle — which escalated into a federal lawsuit filed Thursday by the Justice Department against the state, Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Logan — features striking assertions of official misconduct.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Data from container shipping market analysis firm Linerlytica supports the assertion of a traffic increase.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Argument.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/argument. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on argument

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster