Definition

1. Verb:
   • To give reasons for or against something: To present reasons, evidence, or facts to support or oppose a point of view, idea, or course of action.
   • To have a verbal disagreement or dispute: To exchange opposing views in a discussion, often in a heated or angry manner.
   • To indicate or suggest something: To serve as evidence or a reason for a particular conclusion or fact.

Usage

• Presenting a reasoned case: Use "argue" when logically presenting evidence or reasons to support a claim.
  • The lawyer will argue the case before the judge.
  • She argued for a more flexible policy.
• Engaging in a dispute: Use "argue" when describing a verbal conflict or debate, often involving disagreement.
  • They argue about politics every time they meet.
  • I don't want to argue with you.
• Implying or demonstrating: Use "argue" to mean that something is evidence for a conclusion.
  • His silence argues a lack of interest.
  • The data argues against that hypothesis.

Examples

• Presenting reasons:
  • The scientist argued that climate change is a pressing issue.
  • He argued persuasively in favor of the new proposal.
• Having a disagreement:
  • My siblings often argue over trivial things.
  • We argued for an hour but reached no agreement.
• Giving evidence of:
  • The messy room argues a lack of care.
  • Her dedication argues well for her future success.

Advanced Usage

• "argue the toss" (idiom, chiefly British): To dispute or argue about a decision that has already been made.
  • The decision is final; there's no point arguing the toss.
• "argue someone into/out of something": To persuade someone to do or not do something through reasoning.
  • She argued me into joining the committee.
  • I tried to argue him out of quitting his job.

Variants and Related Words

• Argument (n): A reason or set of reasons given to support an idea, or a verbal dispute.
  • He presented a strong argument for his theory.
  • They had a loud argument.
• Arguable (adj): Open to disagreement or debate; able to be argued.
  • It is arguable that he is the best player of his generation.
• Arguably (adv): Used to state a debatable opinion, suggesting it can be supported by reasons.
  • She is arguably the most influential author of the century.

Synonyms

• Contend: To assert something as a position in an argument.
• Debate: To discuss a topic formally, often with opposing arguments.
• Dispute: To argue against or challenge a point.
• Reason: To think logically and present conclusions.
• Quarrel: To have an angry argument.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Argue down: To defeat someone in an argument or debate.
  • He tried to protest, but she argued him down.
• Argue out: To discuss all aspects of an issue thoroughly to reach a conclusion.
  • We need to argue this out before making a decision.

Related Idioms

• "argue the case": To present reasons for a particular viewpoint or proposal.
  • His job is to argue the case for increased funding.
• "argue black is white": To argue stubbornly, even to the point of absurdity.
  • He would argue black is white just to win the point.

Verb

1. give evidence of
   • The evidence argues for your claim
   • The results indicate the need for more work
2. have an argument about something
3. present reasons and arguments