argue
verbUK /ˈɑː.ɡjuː/ · US /ˈɑɹ.ɡju/
Etymology From Middle English arguen, from Old French arguer, from Latin arguere (“to declare, show, prove, make clear, reprove, accuse”), q.v. for more. Displaced native Old English flītan and reċċan.
1
To show grounds for concluding (that); to indicate, imply.
- The new increase in crime argues for even tougher jail sentences, according to some.
- To have killed Laploshka was one thing; to have kept his beloved money would have argued a callousness of feeling of which I was not capable.1910, Saki [pseudonym; Hector Hugh Munro], “The Soul of Laploshka”, in Reginald in Russia and Other Sketches, London: Methuen & Co. […], →OCLC, page 69:
1 more example
- Yusuf Bangura argues that the contractocracy thesis merely falls within what he called "third option" explanation.1997, Rufa'i Ahmed Alkali, The World Bank and Nigeria, page 10:
2
To debate, disagree, or discuss opposing or differing viewpoints; to controvert; to wrangle.
- He also argued for stronger methods to be used against China.
- He argued as follows: America should stop Lend-Lease convoying, because it needs to fortify its own Army with the supplies.
2 more examples
- The two boys argued over a disagreement about the science project.
- There is no arguing with true believers in any ideology or arrangement in which the self-interest of those in power is the organizing principle of the system.2022 October 28, Charles Hugh Smith, What Does Liberation Mean in the Real World?:
3
To have an argument, a quarrel.
- Dave Merrill: You and Dad were arguing again. Kate Merrill: We weren't arguing. We were talking... loudly.1999 February 3, Anthony Horowitz & al., "Strangler's Wood", Midsomer Murders
4
To present (a viewpoint or an argument therefor).
- He argued his point.
- He argued that America should stop Lend-Lease convoying because it needed to fortify its own Army with the supplies.
3 more examples
- Nonetheless, Girard argues, the very fact that Christians have chosen to forgive and thus not to answer violence directly with violence is itself already a huge victory.2008 November 24, Giles Fraser, “On the Genealogy of Morals, part 5: Breaking the cycle of conflict”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
- Food manufacturers would argue that food additives and chemical-laden packaging extend shelf life, keep food production costs down, and enhance flavors; chemical manufacturers would argue that their various pesticides and herbicides protect crops and help farmers.2018, Kristin Lawless, Formerly known as food, →ISBN, page 192:
- After his actions were challenged by foreign governments and Parliament initially tried to put a stop to his action, Denman returned home and argued his case with enough force that, by 1848, the Royal Navy was handed active permission and encouragement to raze every last slave factory they could find to the ground, and full authority to stop any ship, of any flag, that was thought to be a slaver, with a guarantee with^([sic]) no censure from the government.2018 December 1, Drachinifel, 9:45 from the start, in Anti-Slavery Patrols - The West Africa Squadron, archived from the original on 29 Nov 2024:
5
Obsolete To prove.
6
Obsolete To accuse.
- Derived terms
- argie-bargie, argle-bargle, arguability, arguable, argue down, arguee, argue like a married couple, argue like an old married couple, argue out, arguer, argue round and round, arguesome, argue the toss, argufy, argy-bargy, counterargue, don't argue, downarg, outargue, overargue, reargue, unargued, unarguing, underargue
- Related terms
- argument, argumentative, argumentation