1
as in reasoning
to state (something) as a reason in support of or against something under consideration
argued that a bake sale would make a lot less money than a car wash
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in bickering
to express different opinions about something often angrily
that couple argues so incessantly it's a miracle they're still together
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in convincing
to cause (someone) to agree with a belief or course of action by using arguments or earnest requests
argued my boss into letting me telecommute for four days a week
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in discussing
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion
candidates arguing gun control in a nationally televised debate
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in confirming
to give evidence or testimony to the truth or factualness of
the security video argues that it was a taller man who entered the building
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 arguing
Video obtained by The News shows the victim arguing with the dog owner when a woman in red storms up and starts swinging.
—
Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
The West Texas project recently received the largest air pollution permit ever granted in the US, while Musk’s Memphis project has faced multiple lawsuits arguing the gas turbines are worsening air quality in historically Black communities.
—Mark Chediak, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
Cramer believes concerns around Meta's recent layoffs are overblown, arguing CEO Mark Zuckerberg is simply trimming excess.
—Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Prior to the Board’s decision, several Skokie residents came to the defense of Johnson, arguing that their previous advocacy efforts for the village have long been misconstrued.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
But nearly 80 local and county governments, including Milan Township, challenged it in court, arguing the commission was overstepping its authority.
—Anna Clark, ProPublica, 24 Apr. 2026
The Maryland Department of the Environment fired back, arguing that auditors asked for more than the law currently requires.
—Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2026
Environmental groups opposed the bill, arguing that local governments should be able to take action on climate change.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
The defendants are seeking to dismiss his suit, arguing in court filings that they are protected by prosecutorial immunity and that Baldwin has failed to state a claim.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
The West Texas project recently received the largest air pollution permit ever granted in the US, while Musk’s Memphis project has faced multiple lawsuits arguing the gas turbines are worsening air quality in historically Black communities.
—Mark Chediak, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
Cramer believes concerns around Meta's recent layoffs are overblown, arguing CEO Mark Zuckerberg is simply trimming excess.
—Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Prior to the Board’s decision, several Skokie residents came to the defense of Johnson, arguing that their previous advocacy efforts for the village have long been misconstrued.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
But nearly 80 local and county governments, including Milan Township, challenged it in court, arguing the commission was overstepping its authority.
—Anna Clark, ProPublica, 24 Apr. 2026
The Maryland Department of the Environment fired back, arguing that auditors asked for more than the law currently requires.
—Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2026
Environmental groups opposed the bill, arguing that local governments should be able to take action on climate change.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
The defendants are seeking to dismiss his suit, arguing in court filings that they are protected by prosecutorial immunity and that Baldwin has failed to state a claim.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arguing
Verb
-
The company is working to improve safety and reasoning through benchmarks that guide how robots should behave in real-world scenarios.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Apr. 2026
-
But Dai stressed that the company was less focused on creating media and more interested in reasoning capabilities.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For those of us interested in governing and not bickering, this is a good thing.—
Gail Slater,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2026
-
In some states, lawmakers are still bickering over how money should be spent.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Twin Cities,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The next step for you would be to contact the police department in your community and ask for help in convincing your son he is being scammed.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Part of convincing him to do the play was not so much selling him on the material but selling him on the act of doing theater.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For the second time this week, the state Senate spent hours discussing complicated technology legislation, with lawmakers once again advancing a bill over strong objections that regulating rapidly changing technology could negatively affect local businesses.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
-
At the start of the episode, the Awards Circuit Roundtable is back — and discussing some of the biggest Emmy news, including how submissions are down and what that will mean for this year’s race.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Defense Blog reported that the system was tested in a live-fire scenario, confirming its ability to deploy armed drones during active operations.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Leonardi submitted a letter to the commissioner confirming her secretary used the credit card to buy the $150 ticket to the gala.—
Natalie La Roche Pietri,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Talma, a 6-foot, 175-pounder has track speed and is part of the Hornets state-championship contending 400-meter relay team.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Fighting between Cambodia and Thailand flared twice last year over contending claims to territory along their shared border.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Orange County fire officials said firefighters were fighting the blaze on the ground and from the air.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Viel also finished the game by fighting Podkolzin.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
My hero Carol Loomis provided a great service in persuading her pal to share what become justly honored as the Buffett Indicator with all of us.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Flock has become increasingly controversial, with communities across the country persuading their local governments to cancel their contracts, though the number is still dwarfed by how many cities renew their agreements with Flock every year.—
Kevin Collier,
NBC news,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arguing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arguing. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
