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argue

[ahr-gyoo]
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verb (used without object), ar·gued, ar·gu·ing.
  1. to present reasons for or against a thing: He argued in favor of capital punishment.
  2. to contend in oral disagreement; dispute: The senator argued with the president about the new tax bill.
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verb (used with object), ar·gued, ar·gu·ing.
  1. to state the reasons for or against: The lawyers argued the case.
  2. to maintain in reasoning: to argue that the news report must be wrong.
  3. to persuade, drive, etc., by reasoning: to argue someone out of a plan.
  4. to show; prove; imply; indicate: His clothes argue poverty.
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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. 2018

Examples from the Web for well-argued

Historical Examples

  • In spite of this weighty and well-argued statement, my own opinion is that the preponderance of evidence is in favour of rest.

    The Boy's Voice

    J. Spencer Curwen

British Dictionary definitions for well-argued

well-argued

adjective (well argued when postpositive)
  1. having been reasoned, proposed, or debated convincingly
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argue

verb -gues, -guing or -gued
  1. (intr) to quarrel; wranglethey were always arguing until I arrived
  2. (intr; often foll by for or against) to present supporting or opposing reasons or cases in a dispute; reason
  3. (tr; may take a clause as object) to try to prove by presenting reasons; maintain
  4. (tr; often passive) to debate or discussthe case was fully argued before agreement was reached
  5. (tr) to persuadehe argued me into going
  6. (tr) to give evidence of; suggesther looks argue despair
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Derived Formsarguer, noun

Word Origin

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 well-argued

argue

v.

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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper