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argue - 6 dictionary results

ar⋅gue

[ahr-gyoo]

verb, -gued, -gu⋅ing.

Use argue in a Sentence

–verb (used without object)

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.

–verb (used with object)

3.	to state the reasons for or against: The lawyers argued the case.

4.	to maintain in reasoning: to argue that the news report must be wrong.

5.	to persuade, drive, etc., by reasoning: to argue someone out of a plan.

6.	to show; prove; imply; indicate: His clothes argue poverty.

Origin:
1275–1325; ME < AF, OF arguer < L argūtāre, -ārī, freq. of arguere to prove, assert, accuse (ML: argue, reason), though L freq. form attested only in sense “babble, chatter”

Related forms:

ar⋅gu⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
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, esp. on public questions: to debate a proposed amendment.

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To argue

ar·gue (är'gyōō)

v. ar·gued, ar·gu·ing, ar·gues

v. tr.

To put forth reasons for or against; debate: "It is time to stop arguing tax-rate reductions and to enact them" (Paul Craig Roberts).
To attempt to prove by reasoning; maintain or contend: The speaker argued that more immigrants should be admitted to the country.
To give evidence of; indicate: "Similarities cannot always be used to argue descent" (Isaac Asimov).
To persuade or influence (another), as by presenting reasons: argued the clerk into lowering the price.

v. intr.

To put forth reasons for or against something: argued for dismissal of the case; argued against an immediate counterattack.
To engage in a quarrel; dispute.

[Middle English arguen, from Old French arguer, from Latin argūtāre, to babble, chatter, frequentative of arguere, to make clear; see arg- in Indo-European roots.]
ar'gu·er n.

Synonyms: These verbs denote verbal exchange expressing conflict. To argue is to present reasons or facts in order to persuade someone of something: "I am not arguing with you—I am telling you" (James McNeill Whistler).
Quarrel stresses hostility: The children quarreled over whose turn it was to wash the dishes.
Wrangle refers to loud, contentious argument: "audiences . . . who can be overheard wrangling about film facts in restaurants and coffee houses" (Sheila Benson).
Squabble suggests petty or trivial argument: "The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin . . . would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities" (Theodore Roosevelt).
Bicker connotes sharp, persistent, bad-tempered exchange: The senators bickered about the President's tax proposal for weeks. See Also Synonyms at discuss, indicate.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Argue

Ar"gue\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Argued; p. pr. & vb. n. Arguing.] [OE. arguen, F. arguer, fr. L. argutare, freq. of arguere to make clear; from the same root as E. argent.]

1. To invent and offer reasons to support or overthrow a proposition, opinion, or measure; to use arguments; to reason.

I argue not Against Heaven's hand or will. --Milton.

2. To contend in argument; to dispute; to reason; -- followed by with; as, you may argue with your friend without convincing him.

Argue

Ar"gue\, v. t. 1. To debate or discuss; to treat by reasoning; as, the counsel argued the cause before a full court; the cause was well argued.

2. To prove or evince; too manifest or exhibit by inference, deduction, or reasoning.

So many laws argue so many sins. --Milton.

3. To persuade by reasons; as, to argue a man into a different opinion.

4. To blame; to accuse; to charge with. [Obs.]

Thoughts and expressions . . . which can be truly argued of obscenity, profaneness, or immorality. --Dryden.

Syn: to reason; evince; discuss; debate; expostulate; remonstrate; controvert.

Usage: To Argue, Dispute, Debate. These words, as here compared, suppose a contest between two parties in respect to some point at issue. To argue is to adduce arguments or reasons in support of one's cause or position. To dispute is to call in question or deny the statements or arguments of the opposing party. To debate is to strive for or against in a somewhat formal manner by arguments.

Men of many words sometimes argue for the sake of talking; men of ready tongues frequently dispute for the sake of victory; men in public life often debate for the sake of opposing the ruling party, or from any other motive than the love of truth. --Crabb.

Unskilled to argue, in dispute yet loud, Bold without caution, without honors proud. --Falconer.

Betwixt the dearest friends to raise debate. --Dryden.

Language Translation for : argue

Spanish: discutir,

German: (sich) streiten,

Japanese: 言い合う

More Translations »

argue

1303, from O.Fr. arguer, from L. argutare "to prattle" freq. of arguere "to make clear, demonstrate," from PIE *argu-yo-, from base *arg- "to shine, be white, bright, clear" (see argent). Colloquial argufy is first attested 1751. Argument "proof, evidence" is from 1382; sense of "debate" is from 1494. Argumentative "fond of arguing" is from 1667.

Main Entry: ar·gue
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: ar·gued; ar·gu·ing
intransitive verb 1 : to give reasons for or against a matter in dispute <arguing for an extension>
2 : to present a case in court argue for the defense> transitive verb 1 a : to give reasons for or against <argued the issue before the judge> b : to prove or try to prove by giving reasons or evidence argue invasion of privacy>
2 : to present in court arguing appeals —Rorie Sherman> —ar·gu·able adjective

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