argue

[ahr-gyoo] /ˈɑr gyu/
verb (used without object), argued, arguing.
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), argued, arguing.
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; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French arguer < Latin argūtāre, -ārī, frequentative of arguere to prove, assert, accuse (Medieval Latin: argue, reason), though Latin frequentative form attested only in sense “babble, chatter”
Related forms
arguer, noun
counterargue, verb, counterargued, counterarguing.
overargue, verb, overargued, overarguing.
reargue, verb, reargued, rearguing.
well-argued, adjective
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, especially on public questions: to debate a proposed amendment.
Examples from the web for argue
  • Husbands and wives have been known to argue with each other.
  • It is easy to argue on both sides.
  • They room together, and don't even argue over the television remote.
  • But it makes it pretty hard to argue the converse.
  • When you have the facts on your side, argue the facts.
  • To argue logically, one must have sufficient information on the subject to do so with facts, not conjectures or guesses.
  • Here I argue that other, more careful approaches are the best way forward.
  • Some may argue there is no such thing as fair trade.
  • But others argue that any encounter was likely to be hostile.
  • Think twice before you argue with hot, hungry, mosh-happy concertgoers.
British Dictionary definitions for argue

argue

/ˈɑːɡjuː/
verb -gues, -guing, -gued
1.
(intransitive) to quarrel; wrangle: they were always arguing until I arrived
2.
(intransitive; often foll by for or against) to present supporting or opposing reasons or cases in a dispute; reason
3.
(transitive; may take a clause as object) to try to prove by presenting reasons; maintain
4.
(transitive; often passive) to debate or discuss: the case was fully argued before agreement was reached
5.
(transitive) to persuade: he argued me into going
6.
(transitive) to give evidence of; suggest: her looks argue despair
Derived Forms
arguer, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Old French arguer to assert, charge with, from Latin arguere to make clear, accuse; related to Latin argūtus clear, argentum silver
Word Origin and History for argue
v.

c.1300, "to make reasoned statements to prove or refute a proposition," from Old French arguer "maintain an opinion or view; harry, reproach, accuse, blame" (12c.), from Latin argutare "to prattle, prate," frequentative of arguere "make clear, make known, prove, declare, demonstrate," from PIE *argu-yo-, from root *arg- "to shine, be white, bright, clear" (see argent). Meaning "to oppose, dispute" is from late 14c. Related: Argued; arguing.