argue
- 1To have a quarrel; to disagree with another person, often heatedly.
The couple argue every time the subject of money comes up.
Neighbors who argue over fences rarely end up as friends.
Similarbicker, wrangle, altercate
Oppositeagree
Note
Here the disagreement is personal rather than intellectual, and its natural company is bicker, wrangle and altercate, not debate. Couples and neighbors argue in this way, while scholars argue in the debating sense. The two blur easily, and context decides between them: arguing with a sibling suggests a quarrel, while arguing with a thesis suggests a debate.
- 2To debate or discuss differing viewpoints, with each side defending its own position.
Scholars continue to argue about what the poem really means.
The two economists argued back and forth on live television.
Similardebate, disagree, dispute, contend
Note
Without an object, the verb names the activity rather than the position. People argue about, over or for something, and with someone. The set phrase there is no arguing with X says that a person or view is beyond persuasion. Add a that-clause or a point after the verb and you have the case-making transitive use instead.
- 3To present and defend a viewpoint, offering reasons in its support.
The attorney argued the case persuasively before the jury.
Critics argue that the new policy will hurt small businesses.
Similarcontend, maintain, claim, assert, plead
Note
The transitive verb of making a case takes either a noun (argue a point, argue a case) or a that-clause. It is a workhorse of reporting prose, often dropped in parenthetically ("Nonetheless, Girard argues, …"). With would it states a position on someone else's behalf without endorsing it. Kristin Lawless writes that "food manufacturers would argue that" additives extend shelf life.
- 4To provide grounds for a conclusion; to indicate or imply that something is the case.
The fresh tracks in the snow argue that someone passed by recently.
Her calm response argues a clear conscience.
Similarindicate, suggest, imply, show
Note
The Latin meaning survives most plainly here. Latin arguere meant "to show, make clear, prove", and in this use the subject is often a fact or an act rather than a speaker. Saki could write in 1910 that keeping a dead man's money "would have argued a callousness of feeling". The verb takes a plain noun object or for: rising crime argues for tougher sentences.
Less common meanings
- 5To demonstrate or prove something conclusively.
Note
Of all the senses, this one stays closest to Latin arguere, "to show, prove, make clear." Its subject is usually a fact, sign or quality rather than a person making a case. It belongs to older writing. Today the same construction carries the "indicate" meaning, which claims far less: a thing that argues something now suggests it rather than settles it. For conclusive proof in modern prose, use prove or demonstrate.
- 6To accuse or charge someone with wrongdoing.
His enemies argued him of treason before the king.
Witnesses argue the steward of dishonesty in handling the accounts.
Note
The accusing side of Latin arguere, which meant "reprove, accuse" as well as "prove", lived on briefly in English before falling out of use. It took a person as its object and introduced the alleged fault with of: argue him of treason. Today the construction reads as a slip for accuse, so it is best met in older texts rather than used.
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of argue apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
It comes from Middle English arguen, from Old French arguer, from Latin arguere ("to declare, show, prove, make clear, reprove, accuse"). It replaced the native Old English words flītan and reċċan.