argumentative

[ ahr-gyuh-men-tuh-tiv ]

adjective

1. fond of or given to argument and dispute; disputatious; contentious:

   The law students were an unusually argumentative group.

2. of or characterized by argument; controversial:

   an argumentative attitude toward political issues.

3. Law. arguing or containing arguments suggesting that a certain fact tends toward a certain conclusion.

argumentative

/ ˌɑːɡjʊˈmɛntətɪv /

adjective

1. given to arguing; contentious
2. characterized by argument; controversial

Derived Forms

• ˌarguˈmentatively, adverb
• ˌarguˈmentativeness, noun

Other Words From

• argu·menta·tive·ly adverb
• argu·menta·tive·ness noun
• nonar·gu·menta·tive adjective
• nonar·gu·menta·tive·ly adverb
• nonar·gu·menta·tive·ness noun
• over·argu·menta·tive adjective
• over·argu·menta·tive·ly adverb
• over·argu·menta·tive·ness noun
• unar·gu·menta·tive adjective
• unar·gu·menta·tive·ly adverb
• unar·gu·menta·tive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of argumentative¹

First recorded in 1635–45; argument + -ative

Example Sentences

Ms Belinfante said she was described by officers as "rude and argumentative" and was "verbally abusive" towards them as she was escorted from the airport.

From BBC

But she also noticed that people have become more argumentative.

From Los Angeles Times

So there’s a theory percolating online that if you adopt the qualities of a stone, becoming impassive and bland, then you will repel the argumentative, antagonistic people in your life who are itching for conflict.

From New York Times

“Heartbreak House: A Fantasia in the Russian Manner on English Themes,” an argumentative state-of-the-nation play with eccentrically drawn characters of Chekhovian complexity, represents the pinnacle of the playwright’s achievement in this genre.

From Los Angeles Times

"He became somewhat argumentative with the defense, and seemed to shirk responsibility for prior inconsistent statements," McQuade said.

From Salon

Related Words

• belligerent
• combative
• contentious
• opinionated