ˈär(ˌ)gyü, ˈȧg-, -_gyə, often -_gyəw+V verb
( argued ; argued ; arguing ; argues )
Etymology: Middle English arguen, from Middle French arguer to accuse, reason & Latin arguere to accuse, assert, make clear; Middle French arguer, from Latin argutare to prate, from argutus, past participle of arguere — more at argent
intransitive verb
1. : to give or provide reasons for or against a matter under discussion or in dispute : make statements or present facts in support of or in opposition to a proposal or opinion
three considerations … argue against increasing the fee — T.L.Hungate
am not arguing for an emotional art — H.S.Langfeld
by arguing thus he showed that he had missed my meaning completely
2. : to contend or disagree in words : dispute , debate
you can always come and argue with me about it — C.B.Flood
they have been arguing for the past hour
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to bring evidence against : accuse or convict
2. : to give evidence of : suggest strongly : imply clearly : indicate , show
the presence of a large population in a restricted area generally argues long occupancy — Edward Sapir
3. : to give reasons for or against : consider the pros and cons of : discuss
cadets should be allowed to argue any question that troubles the world — J.M.Burns
4. : to prove or try to prove by giving reasons : maintain , contend
argued that this would jeopardize the Monroe Doctrine — Vera M. Dean
5. obsolete : to give as a reason : adduce
6. : to persuade by giving reasons : induce
argues an elderly rabbi … into holding services frequently — Saturday Review
Synonyms: see discuss , indicate