Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Synonyms for Argue

Argue- verb
Definition: verbally fight; try to convince; present support; give reasons or cite evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory, typically with the aim of persuading others to share one's view
Etimology: from Old French arguer and from latin argutari, "to prattle"
Examples: She was too tired to argue the point.
I tried to argue him out of it.
Don't argue with me.

1. Fight- verb
Definition: take part in a violent struggle involving the exchange of physical blows or the use of weapons
Examples: The men were fighting.
They fight with other children.
There was another war to fight.
noun
Definition:
  • a violent confrontation or struggle (Ex: we'll get into a fight and wind up with bloody noses)

  • a boxing match.

  • a battle or war (Ex: the country was not eager for a fight with the US)

  • a vigorous struggle or campaign for or against something (Ex: a long fight against cancer).

  • an argument or quarrel (Ex: she had a fight with her husband)

  • the inclination or ability to fight or struggle (Ex: Ginny felt the fight trickle out of her)

  • Etimology: Old English feohtan (verb), feoht(e), gefeoht (noun); related to Dutch vechten, gevecht and German fechten, Gefecht
     
    2. Debate- noun
    Definition: a formal discussion on a particular topic in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which opposing arguments are put forward; an argument about a particular subject, especially one in which many people are involved (Ex: the national debate on abortion.
    There has been much debate about prices)
     
    verb
    Definition: argue about (a subject), especially in a formal manner (Ex: the board debated his proposal.
    The date when people first entered America is hotly debated)
    - consider a possible course of action in one's mind before reaching a decision (Ex: he debated whether he should leave the matter alone or speak to her)
    Etymology: Middle English: via Old French from Latin dis- (expressing reversal) + battere 'to
     
    3. Quarrel- noun
    Definition: an angry argument or disagreement, typically between people who are usually on good terms; An angry dispute; an altercation (Ex: The teacher didn't want to get involved in the two friends' quarrel.
    The quarrel caused a fall out between the girls of the group.)
     
    Verb
    Definition: Have an angry argument or disagreement (Ex: The lunchroom was disrupted as the group in the corner quarreled.)
    Etymology: from Old french querele, from Latin querella "complaint," from queri "to complain, lament."
     
    4. Squabble- noun
    Definition: a noisy quarrel about something petty or trivial (Ex: family squabbles)
     
    verb
    Definition: quarrel noisily over a trivial matter; To engage in a disagreeable argument, usually over a trivial matter; wrangle. (Ex: the boys were squabbling over a ball)
    Etymology: early 17th century: probably imitative; compare with Swedish dialect skvabbel 'a dispute.
     
    5. Bicker- verb
    Definitionargue about petty and trivial matters; to engage in petulant or peevish argument; wrangle (Ex: whenever the phone rings, they bicker over who must answer it.
     The constant bickering between Edgar and his mother annoys the rest of the family)
    Etymology: from middle dutch word bicken, "to attack; again and again"
     
    6. Altercate- verb
    Definition: dispute or argue noisily and publicly; to argue, especially heatedly; dispute
    (Ex: this discussion is so silly we might as well altercate on how many angels can dance on the point of a needle).
    Etymology: from Latin altercārī to quarrel with another, from alter other
     
    7. Battle-  noun
    Definition: a sustained fight between large, organized armed forces (Ex: the Battle of Shiloh.
    He died in battle.)
    -a lengthy and difficult conflict or struggle (Ex. the battle over the future shape of Europethe battle against aging).
     
    verb
    Definition: fight or struggle tenaciously to achieve or resist something (Ex. he has been battling against the illness.
    Representatives from eight countries are battling for the title.)
    -engage in a fight or struggle against (Ex. firefighters battled a 9,800-acre brush fire).
    Etymology: Middle English: from Old French bataille (noun), bataillier (verb), based on late Latin battualia 'military or gladiatorial exercises, from Latin battuere "to beat"
     
    8. Feud-  noun
    Definition: a state of prolonged mutual hostility, typically between two families or communities, characterized by violent assaults in revenge for previous injuries (Ex: the long-standing feud between two noble families. Shakespeare artfully depicts the feud between the Capulets and the Montegues in Romeo and Juliet)
    -a prolonged and bitter quarrel or dispute (Ex: one of the most volatile feuds that currently rock the scientific community).
     
    verb
    Definition: in a prolonged quarrel or conflict (Ex: these two families have been feuding since the Civil War. and Hoover feuded with the CIA for decades).
    Etymology: Middle English fede 'hostility, ill will', from Old French feide, from Middle Dutch, Middle Low German vēde; related to  foe

    9. Dispute-  noun
    Definition: a disagreement, argument, or debate (Ex: a territorial dispute between the two countries. The question in dispute is altogether insignificant).
    -a disagreement between management and employees that leads to an action of protest by the employees (Ex. if this dispute cannot be resolved quickly, a formal strike is inevitable).

    verb
     Definition: argue about (something); discuss heatedly (Ex: I disputed the charge on the bill. He taught and disputed with local poets).
    -question whether (a statement or alleged fact) is true or valid (Ex: the accusations are not disputed. The estate disputes that it is responsible for the embankment).
    -to compete for; strive to win (Ex: the two drivers crashed while disputing the lead)
    - archaic resist (a landing or advance) (Ex: I formed my line and prepared to dispute the advance of the foe).
    Etymology: Middle English: via Old French from Latin disputare 'to estimate' (in late Latin 'to dispute'), from dis- 'apart' + putare "reckon"
     
    10. Contend-  verb
    Definition (contend with/against) struggle to surmount (a difficulty or danger) (Ex: she had to contend with his uncertain temper)
    -(contend for) engage in a competition or campaign in order to win or achieve (something) (Ex: the local team should contend for a division championship (as adjectivecontending) disputes continued between the contending parties).
    assert something as a position in an argument (Ex: he contends that the judge was wrong).
    Etymology: late Middle English (in the sense 'compete for (something)'): from Old French contendre or Latin contendere, from con-'with' + tendere 'stretch, strive'

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