argue
[ ahr-gyoo ]
/ ˈɑr gyu /
verb (used without object), ar·gued, ar·gu·ing.
to present reasons for or against a thing: He argued in favor of capital punishment.
to contend in oral disagreement; dispute: The senator argued with the president about the new tax bill.
verb (used with object), ar·gued, ar·gu·ing.
to state the reasons for or against: The lawyers argued the case.
to maintain in reasoning: to argue that the news report must be wrong.
to persuade, drive, etc., by reasoning: to argue someone out of a plan.
to show; prove; imply; indicate: His clothes argue poverty.
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Nearby words
Origin of argue
1275–1325; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French arguer < Latin argūtāre, -ārī, frequentative of arguere to prove, assert, accuse (Medieval Latin: argue, reason), though Latin frequentative form attested only in sense “babble, chatter”
Related forms
Synonym study
1, 2. Argue, debate, discuss imply using reasons or proofs to support or refute an assertion, proposition, or principle. Argue implies presenting one's reasons: The scientists argued for a safer testing procedure; it may also imply disputing in an angry or excited way: His parents argue all the time. To discuss is to present varied opinions and views: to discuss ways and means. To debate is to interchange formal (usually opposing) arguments, especially on public questions: to debate a proposed amendment.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for argues
British Dictionary definitions for argues
argue
/ (ˈɑːɡjuː) /
verb -gues, -guing or -gued
(intr) to quarrel; wranglethey were always arguing until I arrived
(intr; often foll by for or against) to present supporting or opposing reasons or cases in a dispute; reason
(tr; may take a clause as object) to try to prove by presenting reasons; maintain
(tr; often passive) to debate or discussthe case was fully argued before agreement was reached
(tr) to persuadehe argued me into going
(tr) to give evidence of; suggesther looks argue despair
Derived Formsarguer, noun
Word Origin for argue
C14: from Old French arguer to assert, charge with, from Latin arguere to make clear, accuse; related to Latin argūtus clear, argentum silver
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for argues
argue
c.1300, "to make reasoned statements to prove or refute a proposition," from Old French arguer "maintain an opinion or view; harry, reproach, accuse, blame" (12c.), from Latin argutare "to prattle, prate," frequentative of arguere "make clear, make known, prove, declare, demonstrate," from PIE *argu-yo-, from root *arg- "to shine, be white, bright, clear" (see argent). Meaning "to oppose, dispute" is from late 14c. Related: Argued; arguing.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper