argumentative

Adjective

1. Of or relating to argumentation; specifically, presenting a logical argument or line of reasoning; argumentive, discursive.
   • I proceed next to treat of the argumentative or reaſoning Part of a Diſcourſe. In whatever place, or on whatever ſubject one ſpeaks, this beyond doubt is of the greateſt conſequence. - 1783, Hugh Blair, “Lecture XXXII....
   • There muſt be a Special Demurrer to a Negative Pregnant, that is, a Negative Plea, which doth alſo contain in it an Affirmative; and to an Argumentative Plea, that is a Plea which concludes nothing directly, but only by...
   • Discourses to an academical audience ought undoubtedly to be of a more learned and recondite class than those which are addressed to ordinary congregations. They should be mostly of the argumentative cast; rather...

   Synonyms: argumentary discursory

2. Prone to argue or dispute.
   • Your host was in his turn eloquent,—authoritative,—facetious,—argumentative,—precatory,—pathetic, above all, pertinacious. - 1826, Malachi Malagrowther [pseudonym; Walter Scott], A Letter to the Editor of the Edinburgh...
   • He found that in an argumentative discussion, when an adversary responded argumentatively, male and female subjects did not differ in their preference for message strategies. However, when the adversary responded with...
   • Ten-year-old Maryann, for example, was described by her teacher as "manipulative, argumentative, and uncooperative" because she frequently argued about the value of assignments given to her in class. [...] At home,...

   Synonyms: agonistic argumentative bangsome bellicose belligerent contentious debateful discordant disputatious factious fractious fratchety fratchy litigious logomachic pettifogging quarrelous quarrelsome rantankerous squabbly strifeful unpacific

   Antonyms: nonargumentative unargumentative