Synonyms for argument

37 synonyms
1 antonym
2 meanings

noun

Most common

debate dispute controversy disputation evidence proof thesis argumentation

Synonyms by meaning

Noun

1. Debate — A verbal dispute; a quarrel

debate, dispute, controversy, disputation, contention, arguing, fight, quarrel, discussion, reason, claim, disagreement, polemic, difference, row UK, conflict, squabble, altercation, feud, spat, contestation, brawl

2. Actual argument — A value, or a reference to a value, passed to a function

actual argument, actual parameter, passed parameter

Other

argumentation, proof, evidence, statement, thesis, matter, basis, parameter, motive, line, subject, theme

Antonyms

recantation

All antonyms of argument →

Definitions

n. 1
A verbal dispute; a quarrel.
The neighbours got into an argument about the branches of the trees that extended over the fence.
n. 2
A value, or a reference to a value, passed to a function.
Parameters are like labelled fillable blanks used to define a function whereas arguments are passed to a function when calling it, filling in those blanks.

Related words

Word family: argumentary argumentation argumentative argumentatively arguable arguably argue arguer
Phrases: circular argument opening argument argument form argument from design actual argument ontological argument teleological argument regress argument
Is a kind of: statement

Forms

Plural: arguments → debates, disputes, controversies, disputations…

Choose the right word

Argument, Argumentation, Reasoning, Reason, Arguments or Reasons?

Argument or argumentation was formerly used of deductive reasoning only. Reasoning, as denoting a process, is a broader term than reason or argument; many arguments or reasons may be included in a single chain of reasoning.

J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)

Example sentences

debate The matter of his successor is still under debate.
dispute Go is a game of dispute and conquest of territory.
controversy She has waded into one controversy after another.
evidence From this evidence it follows that he is innocent.
proof There is indisputable proof that Tom is the thief.

Popularity over time

Word	1850 → 2019	Trend
argument		steady
debate		rising
dispute		steady
controversy		falling
disputation		steady
evidence		steady

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters: row¹
4 letters: line¹, feud¹, spat¹
5 letters: fight¹, claim¹, basis², proof¹, theme¹, brawl¹
6 letters: matter², reason², debate², thesis², motive²
7 letters: subject², dispute², arguing³, quarrel², polemic³
8 letters: evidence³, conflict², squabble²
9 letters: statement², parameter⁴
10 letters: difference³, discussion³, contention³
11 letters: controversy⁴, altercation⁴, disputation⁴
12 letters: disagreement⁴, contestation
13 letters: argumentation⁵

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (basis² = 2 syllables).

In other languages

Français: argument
Español: argumento
Deutsch: Argument
Català: argument