ar·gu·ment (är gy -m nt)n.1. a. A discussion in which disagreement is expressed; a debate. b. A quarrel; a dispute. c. Archaic A reason or matter for dispute or contention: "sheath'd their swords for lack of argument" Shakespeare. 2. a. A course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating truth or falsehood: presented a careful argument for extraterrestrial life. b. A fact or statement put forth as proof or evidence; a reason: The current low mortgage rates are an argument for buying a house now. c. A set of statements in which one follows logically as a conclusion from the others. 3. a. A summary or short statement of the plot or subject of a literary work. b. A topic; a subject: "You and love are still my argument" Shakespeare. 4. Logic The minor premise in a syllogism. 5. Mathematics a. The independent variable of a function. b. The angle of a complex number measured from the positive horizontal axis. 6. Computer Science A value used to evaluate a procedure or subroutine. 7. Linguistics In generative grammar, any of various positions occupied by a noun phrase in a sentence.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin arg mentum, from arguere, to make clear; see argue.] Synonyms: argument, dispute, controversy These nouns denote discussion involving conflicting points of view. Argument stresses the advancement by each side of facts and reasons intended to persuade the other side: Emotions are seldom swayed by argument. Dispute implies animosity: A dispute arose among union members about the terms of the new contract. Controversy applies especially to major differences of opinion involving large groups of people: The use of nuclear power is the subject of widespread controversy. |
argument Noun 1. a quarrel 2. a discussion 3. a point presented to support or oppose a proposition
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | argument - a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true; "it was a strong argument that his hypothesis was true"evidence - an indication that makes something evident; "his trembling was evidence of his fear" proof - a formal series of statements showing that if one thing is true something else necessarily follows from it pro - an argument in favor of a proposal con - an argument opposed to a proposal case - a statement of facts and reasons used to support an argument; "he stated his case clearly" last word - the final statement in a verbal argument; "she always gets the last word" specious argument - an argument that appears good at first view but is really fallacious | | 2. | argument - a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement; "they were involved in a violent argument"difference of opinion, dispute, difference, conflict - a disagreement or argument about something important; "he had a dispute with his wife"; "there were irreconcilable differences"; "the familiar conflict between Republicans and Democrats" firestorm - an outburst of controversy; "the incident triggered a political firestorm" sparring - an argument in which the participants are trying to gain some advantage polemic - a controversy (especially over a belief or dogma) fight - an intense verbal dispute; "a violent fight over the bill is expected in the Senate" | | 3. | argument - a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal; "the argument over foreign aid goes on and on"logomachy - argument about words or the meaning of words | | 4. | argument - a summary of the subject or plot of a literary work or play or movie; "the editor added the argument to the poem"sum-up, summary - a brief statement that presents the main points in a concise form; "he gave a summary of the conclusions" | | 5. | argument - (computer science) a reference or value that is passed to a function, procedure, subroutine, command, or programvalue - a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed; "the value assigned was 16 milliseconds" computer science, computing - the branch of engineering science that studies (with the aid of computers) computable processes and structures | | 6. | argument - a variable in a logical or mathematical expression whose value determines the dependent variable; if f(x)=y, x is the independent variable | | 7. | argument - a course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating a truth or falsehood; the methodical process of logical reasoning; "I can't follow your line of reasoning"casuistry - argumentation that is specious or excessively subtle and intended to be misleading policy - a line of argument rationalizing the course of action of a government; "they debated the policy or impolicy of the proposed legislation" |
argument noun 1. reason, case, reasoning, ground(s), defence, excuse, logic, justification, rationale, polemic, dialectic, line of reasoning, argumentation noun 2. debate, questioning, claim, row, discussion, dispute, controversy, pleading, plea, contention, assertion, polemic, altercation, remonstrance, expostulation, remonstration noun 3. quarrel, fight, row, clash, dispute, controversy, disagreement, misunderstanding, feud, barney ( informal) squabble, wrangle, bickering, difference of opinion, tiff, altercation << OPPOSITE agreement
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