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

In addition to the heat, shifts that should have had five or six employees had two or three, and one of Flores’s former supervisors was “very argumentative,” Flores told the “Today” show.

From Washington Post

This argumentative stance became a hallmark of his public persona.

From Washington Post

The passengers were “non-mask compliant, rowdy, argumentative” and harassed crew members, the airline said.

From Washington Post

A “why” question, always dangerous for various reasons, is particularly objectionable when argumentative.

From The Daily Beast

“Debate is competitive argumentation so debaters tend to be competitive and argumentative,” Lubetsky said.

From The Daily Beast

This deeply engaged, argumentative monologue is an exercise in reaching, again and again beyond the limits of unbelieving.

From The Daily Beast

And being too argumentative can cost you part of your social circle.

From The Daily Beast

Some have speculated the argumentative Hampton could be a new addition to the Atlanta Housewives cast.

From The Daily Beast

Mr. Shiel followed, in a speech which was more personal than argumentative.

From Project Gutenberg

The argumentative force of the passage being admitted, its doctrinal import deserves attention.

From Project Gutenberg

He simply took his model and abridged it, by throwing out all argumentative, illustrative and amplificatory material.

From Project Gutenberg

There was something that caught his attention in the note of this—a longing half hopeless, half argumentative to be believed in.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides, it was not to be denied that even the elderly and argumentative found themselves listening to his discourses.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• belligerent
• combative
• contentious
• opinionated