argue
[verb]
Synonyms:
- discuss, assert, claim, debate, dispute, maintain, reason, remonstrate
- quarrel, bicker, disagree, dispute, fall out (informal), fight, squabble

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Contrasted words: accord, agree, concur
Related Idioms: bandy words, have it out, join (or take) issue
Related Words: analyze, investigate, review, sift, study, ventilate, expostulate, object, protest, remonstrate, differ, disaccord, disagree, dissent, balk, demur, jib, clash, conflict

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English Thesaurus: argue, have an argument, have a row, quarrel, squabble, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

ar‧gue S2 W1 /ˈɑːɡjuː $ ˈɑːr-/ verb
[Word Family: adjective: arguable, argumentative; verb: argue; noun: argument; adverb: arguably]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: arguer, from Latin arguere 'to make clear']

1. [intransitive] to disagree with someone in words, often in an angry way:
We could hear the neighbours arguing.
argue with
Gallacher continued to argue with the referee throughout the game.
argue about
They were arguing about how to spend the money.
argue over
The children were arguing over which TV programme to watch.

2. [intransitive and transitive] to state, giving clear reasons, that something is true, should be done etc
argue that
Croft argued that a date should be set for the withdrawal of troops.
It could be argued that a dam might actually increase the risk of flooding.
argue for/against (doing) something
Baker argued against cutting the military budget.
She argued the case for changing the law.
The researchers put forward a well-argued case for banning the drug.
They argued the point (=discussed it) for hours without reaching a conclusion.

3. argue somebody into/out of doing something British English to persuade someone to do or not do something:
Joyce argued me into buying a new jacket.

4. [transitive] formal to show that something clearly exists or is true:
The statement argues a change of attitude by the management.

5. argue the toss British English informal to continue to argue about a decision that has been made and cannot be changed:
There was no point arguing the toss after the goal had been disallowed.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

argue
verb
I. disagree
ADV. fiercely, furiously, heatedly | endlessly
PREP. about arguing endlessly about money
over They were arguing over who should have the car that day.
with She's always arguing with her mother.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

argue
II. give reasons to support opinion
ADV. forcefully, passionately, strongly | convincingly, persuasively, plausibly, successfully The report argues convincingly that economic help should be given to these countries.
sensibly
VERB + ARGUE be disposed to, wish to I would wish to argue that appreciation of the arts should be encouraged for its own sake.
be prepared to Are you prepared to argue that killing is sometimes justified?
attempt to, try to | go on to In her paper she goes on to argue that scientists do not yet know enough about the nature of the disease.
be possible to It is possible to argue that the rules are too strict.
be difficult to
PREP. against She argued against a rise in interest rates.
for The general argued for extending the ceasefire.
in favour of They argued in favour of stricter punishments.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

argue
verb
BAD: In the first class after lunch we usually argue.
GOOD: In the first class after lunch we usually have a discussion.

Usage Note:
When people argue (or quarrel ), they disagree strongly about something and are often angry or upset: 'Parents should try not to argue in front of their children.' 'We were always arguing about silly things, like whose turn it was to do the shopping.'
When people consider a subject from several points of view, they have a discussion or have a debate (= a formal discussion in which two or more groups take it in turns to present their opinions).

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

argue to speak angrily to someone because you disagree with them about something:
Those two are always arguing.
We rarely argue with each other.
have an argument to argue with someone for a period of time about a particular thing:
She had a long argument with the man who was selling the tickets.
have a row /raʊ/ British English, have a fight especially American English to have an argument with someone, especially with your boyfriend, girlfriend, or a member of your family:
She was upset because she’d had a fight with her boyfriend.
The couple at the next table were having a row.
quarrel especially British English to argue with someone, especially for a long time and about many different things:
The children quarrel all the time.
squabble /ˈskwɒbəl $ ˈskwɑː-/ to argue about unimportant things:
The kids were squabbling over what to watch on TV.
fall out with somebody British English to have a big argument with someone that results in you stopping having a friendly relationship with them:
I’ve fallen out with my best friend.
be at each other’s throats if two people are at each other’s throats, they are always arguing in a very angry way:
His parents are constantly at each other’s throats.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

argument a situation in which people speak angrily to each other because they disagree about something:
an argument between two drivers over who had right of way
A 29-year-old man was shot and killed today after an argument over a gambling debt.
row British English, fight especially American English a loud angry argument with someone, especially your boyfriend, girlfriend, or someone in your family. Row is also used about a serious disagreement between politicians about important public issues:
There were always fights between my parents.
the continuing row over tax increases
A few months ago they had a big row, and Steve drove off and spent the weekend in London.
disagreement a situation in which people disagree with each other, but without shouting or getting angry:
There were the occasional disagreements about money, but mostly we got on well.
Ginny had left the company after a disagreement with her boss.
quarrel especially British English an argument, especially one in which people get angry and that lasts a long time. Quarrel sounds more formal and more serious than argument or row:
a bitter family quarrel
feud /fjuːd/ a very bitter argument between two groups, especially families, which lasts for many years and causes people to hate each other:
The feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys raged for 20 years.
dispute a public or legal argument about something, especially one which continues for a long time:
Morris has been involved in a long legal dispute with his publisher.
The settlement will resolve a long-running dispute over the country’s nuclear program.
war/battle of words an argument in which two people or groups criticize each other continuously in public:
The war of words over construction delays at the airport has erupted again.
bust-up British English informal a very bad argument, especially one in which people decide to separate from each other:
He had a bust-up with the team manager.
shouting match an angry argument in which people shout at each other:
He got into a shouting match with another driver.
slanging match British English informal an argument in which people insult each other:
He was sacked after a slanging match with a colleague.
argue to speak angrily to someone because you disagree with them about something:
Those two are always arguing.
We rarely argue with each other.
have an argument to argue with someone for a period of time about a particular thing:
She had a long argument with the man who was selling the tickets.
have a row /raʊ/ British English, have a fight especially American English to have an argument with someone, especially with your boyfriend, girlfriend, or a member of your family:
She was upset because she’d had a fight with her boyfriend.
The couple at the next table were having a row.
squabble /ˈskwɒbəl $ ˈskwɑː-/ to argue about unimportant things:
The kids were squabbling over what to watch on TV.
fall out with somebody British English to have a big argument with someone that results in you stopping having a friendly relationship with them:
I’ve fallen out with my best friend.
be at each other’s throats if two people are at each other’s throats, they are always arguing in a very angry way:
His parents are constantly at each other’s throats.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲