argue
gb/ˈɑɹɡju/ us/ˈɑɹɡju/
B1
English
~ 800
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Speak angrily in disagreement
To talk to someone in an angry way because you do not agree.
Usage pattern:
to argue with [someone] about [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'argue' meaning 'discuss' with 'argue' meaning 'fight'; in casual contexts, 'argue' often implies anger.
Synonyms
quarrel (Often more emotional and less reasoned; can be physical or verbal.)
Antonyms
agree (Indicates having the same opinion instead of opposing views.)
Collocations
argue heatedly
|argue endlessly
|argue bitterly
|argue constantly
Themes
emotions
|communication
|daily life
|relationships
Examples
- They always argue about money.
- The couple argued late into the night.
- We argued over whose turn it was to cook dinner.
Learner examples
- I argued with my brother about the TV.
- They argue every day about small things.
- She argued with her friend about the game.
Verb
B2
action
2
Give reasons for an opinion
To give reasons to show that your idea is right or another idea is wrong.
Usage pattern:
to argue that [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners may forget to use 'that' after 'argue' when introducing a statement, especially in formal writing.
Synonyms
contend (More formal; emphasizes stating a position strongly.)
Antonyms
concede (Means to admit that the other side is correct.)
Collocations
argue convincingly
|argue persuasively
|argue strongly
|argue coherently
Themes
communication
|education
|politics
Examples
- She argued that the policy would harm small businesses.
- The lawyer argued for his client's innocence.
- Scientists argue that climate change is accelerating.
Learner examples
- He argued that the plan was good.
- She argued for a new school bus.
- They argue that the rules are not fair.
Verb
B2
action
3
Persuade through reasoning
To try to make someone agree with you by giving reasons.
Usage pattern:
to argue [someone] into/out of [doing something]
Common mistake:
Learners may omit 'into' or 'out of' when using this pattern, which changes the meaning.
Synonyms
persuade (Broader term; doesn't necessarily involve debate or opposition.)
Antonyms
dissuade (Means to persuade someone not to do something.)
Collocations
argue someone into doing
|argue someone out of doing
Themes
communication
|influence
|education
Examples
- I finally argued him into joining the team.
- She argued me out of quitting my job.
- They tried to argue her into buying a bigger house.
Learner examples
- He argued me into going to the park.
- She argued him out of buying the phone.
- They argued her into joining the club.
Grammar
Dictionary form
argue
IPA
GB/ˈɑɹɡju/
US/ˈɑɹɡju/
Syllables & stress
ar - gue (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ar)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: argue
- 3rd Person Singular: argues
- Present Participle: arguing
- Past: argued
Word family
Expressions
argue the toss
1/ˈɑɹɡju ðə tˈɔs/
idiom
informal
Complain after decision made
To complain about or try to change a decision that is already final.
Examples
- The manager said no, so there's no point arguing the toss.
- He kept arguing the toss even after we explained everything.
argue with yourself
1/ˈɑɹɡju wˈɪθ jʊɹsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
Debate internally about choices
To think about two different choices and try to decide between them in your head.
Examples
- I spent hours arguing with myself about whether to quit.
- She argued with herself before making the call.
play devil's advocate
1/plˈeɪ dˈɛvəlz ˈædvəkɪt/
idiom
argue against an idea to test it
to pretend to disagree with an idea, even if you agree with it, so that you and other people can test how strong the idea is
Examples
- I'm just playing devil's advocate here—what if we're wrong?
- Let me play devil’s advocate for a minute and question your assumptions.
- She played devil's advocate to see how strong his argument was.
- He likes to play devil’s advocate to make discussions more interesting.
- The lawyer played devil’s advocate to prepare her client for cross-examination.