argue

[ahr-gyoo]

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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.

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 formsar·gu·er, nouncoun·ter·ar·gue, verb, coun·ter·ar·gued, coun·ter·ar·gu·ing.o·ver·ar·gue, verb, o·ver·ar·gued, o·ver·ar·gu·ing.re·ar·gue, verb, re·ar·gued, re·ar·gu·ing.well-ar·gued, adjective

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

Related Words for argues

contend, squabble, disagree, quibble, dispute, quarrel, claim, suggest, defend, testify, assert, indicate, maintain, plead, demonstrate, appeal, explain, present, question, clarify

Examples from the Web for argues

Contemporary Examples of argues

He argues persuasively that the decision to launch the attack was completely contrary to reason and good military judgment.
Hitler’s Hail Mary
James A. Warren
December 20, 2014
While 15 miles per week has benefits, “the sweet spot is probably around 30 miles of running per week,” Williams argues.
Running 15 Miles a Week Could Slash Alzheimer’s Risk
DailyBurn
December 12, 2014
The instrumental view of culture has it wrong, she argues, and should be replaced with what she calls an “expressive view.”
The Insane Swedish Plan to Rate Games for Sexism
Nick Gillespie
November 20, 2014
The video also argues that ISIS is collecting followers across the Middle East, even as far east as China.
A 26-Year-Old Woman Is ISIS’s Last American Hostage
Shane Harris
November 17, 2014
The Internet, ever becoming a greater part of the human experience, is at a crossroads, Dwyer argues in his book.
How Four Upstarts Built and Crashed the Anti-Facebook
Jake Whitney
November 12, 2014

Historical Examples of argues

This is what she argues in behalf of her favourite Hickman, as well as for Solmes in your case.
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
It argues that if France was stricken with defeat, it was because she deserved punishment.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
And, in the first place, let us see how he argues concerning piety.
The Memorable Thoughts of Socrates
Xenophon
The which thing, as I think, argues the very ne plus ultra of sympathy.
Memoirs
Charles Godfrey Leland
As he argues, we see his brown low shoe tapping on the floor.
Pipefuls
Christopher Morley

British Dictionary definitions for argues

argue

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.