argumentative

Adjective

argumentative (comparative more argumentative, superlative most argumentative)

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. Conduct of a Discourse—The Argumentative Part—The Pathetic Part—The Peroration.”, in Lectures on Rhetoric and Belles Lettres, volume II, London: W[illiam] Strahan...
   • 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 Way of Argument or Reaſoning, for the Court will intend every Plea to be good...1793, Matthew Bacon [i.e., Mathew Bacon]; T. Cunningham, “Demurrer”, in A New Abridgment of the Law, […] In Five Volumes. […], 6th edition, volume IV, Dublin: Luke White, →OCLC

   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 Weekly Journal, […] on the Proposed Rate of Currency, and Other Late Alterations, as They Affect, or are...
   • 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 verbal aggression, male and female subjects differed in their responses; female...1998, Roberta L. Kosberg, Andrew S. Rancer, “Enhancing Argumentativeness and Argumentative Behavior: The Influence of Gender and Training”, in Linda Longmire, Lisa Merrill, editors, Untying the...

   Synonyms:

   agonistic, bangsome, bellicose, belligerent, contentious, debateful, discordant, disputatious, disputative, factious

   Antonyms:

   nonargumentative, unargumentative