argumentative

American  

[ahr-gyuh-men-tuh-tiv] / ˌɑr gyəˈmɛn tə tɪv /

adjective

1. fond of or given to argument and dispute; disputatious; contentious.

   The law students were an unusually argumentative group.

2. of or characterized by argument; controversial.

   an argumentative attitude toward political issues.

3. Law. arguing or containing arguments suggesting that a certain fact tends toward a certain conclusion.

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argumentative British  

/ ˌɑːɡjʊˈmɛntətɪv /

adjective

1. given to arguing; contentious

2. characterized by argument; controversial

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Other Word Forms

• argumentatively adverb
• argumentativeness noun
• nonargumentative adjective
• nonargumentatively adverb
• nonargumentativeness noun
• overargumentative adjective
• overargumentatively adverb
• overargumentativeness noun
• unargumentative adjective
• unargumentatively adverb
• unargumentativeness noun

Etymology

Origin of argumentative

First recorded in 1635–45; argument + -ative

Example Sentences

“The most successful companies these days are more argumentative,” Schulman said.

From The Wall Street Journal

After Watts asked follow-up questions, Porter accused the reporter of being “unnecessarily argumentative,” held up her hands and later said, “I don’t want this all on camera.”

From Los Angeles Times

There are mysteries to solve, of course, but they come and go, while family, even at its most arduous and argumentative, is forever.

From Los Angeles Times

After Watts asked follow-up questions, Porter accused Watts of being “unnecessarily argumentative,” held up her hands towards the reporter’s face and later said, “I don’t want this all on camera.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I feel like this is unnecessarily argumentative. What is your question?”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• belligerent
• combative
• contentious
• opinionated