argumentative
Quick to quarrel
Argumentative describes someone inclined to argue or dispute, often over small matters: He gets argumentative after a few drinks.
The word usually carries a negative connotation—being argumentative means picking fights rather than engaging in productive debate.
In rhetoric and composition, argumentative has a neutral sense: an argumentative essay presents and defends a position.
Inclined to dispute
- combativeInclined toward conflict
- confrontationalInclined toward hostile encounters
- antagonisticActively opposed or hostile
- pugnaciousInclined to quarrel
truculent · bellicose · contentious · disputatious · contrarian · cantankerous · irascible · choleric
Opposed in nature
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- stubbornRefusing to change course
- adversarialCharacterized by conflict
- dissentingExpressing disagreement formally
intransigent · recalcitrant · defiant · resistant · obdurate · unyielding · contrarian · headstrong
Tending to provoke outrage
- incendiaryCausing or designed for burning
- polemicalStrongly attacking opposing views
- controversialCausing public dispute
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
confrontational · instigative · goading · baiting · needling · inciting · rabble-rousing · agitating
Scientific crime-scene analysis
- dialecticsReasoning through contradiction
- parliamentaryOf a legislature
- oratoryFormal eloquent discourse
- discourseFormal communication on subjects
rhetoric · disputation · rebuttal · cross-examination · proposition · affirmative · negative · resolution
Art of persuasive language
- eloquencePersuasive verbal grace
- compellingPowerfully engaging or persuasive
- cogentClearly logical and convincing
- logicalBased on valid reasoning
reasoned · assertive · forceful · convincing · articulate · syllogistic · deductive · inductive
quarrelsome
Inclined to dispute
- combativeInclined toward conflict
- confrontationalInclined toward hostile encounters
- antagonisticActively opposed or hostile
pugnacious · truculent · bellicose · contentious · disputatious · contrarian · cantankerous · irascible · choleric · testy
contrary
Opposed in nature
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- stubbornRefusing to change course
- adversarialCharacterized by conflict
dissenting · intransigent · recalcitrant · defiant · resistant · obdurate · unyielding · contrarian · headstrong · willful
inflammatory
Tending to provoke outrage
- incendiaryCausing or designed for burning
- polemicalStrongly attacking opposing views
- controversialCausing public dispute
aggressive · confrontational · instigative · goading · baiting · needling · inciting · rabble-rousing · agitating · stirring
forensics
Scientific crime-scene analysis
- dialecticsReasoning through contradiction
- parliamentaryOf a legislature
- oratoryFormal eloquent discourse
discourse · rhetoric · disputation · rebuttal · cross-examination · proposition · affirmative · negative · resolution · refutation
rhetoric
Art of persuasive language
- eloquencePersuasive verbal grace
- compellingPowerfully engaging or persuasive
- cogentClearly logical and convincing
logical · reasoned · assertive · forceful · convincing · articulate · syllogistic · deductive · inductive · methodical
- writing stylesformal, informal, minimalism, maximalism, concise
- irritabilitycranky, grouchy, grumpy, irritated, annoyed
- personalitiesintrovert, optimist, extrovert, pessimist, idealist
- academic writingdissertations, theses, research papers, monographs, dissertation
argumentativepeaceable
Averse to strife
nonconfrontational · easygoing · agreeable · pacific · nonaggressive
- argumentative essaysWriting defending a stance
- argumentative writingText advocating a position