7 VERB If you say that no-one can argue with a particular fact or opinion, you are emphasizing that it is obviously true and so everyone must accept it. [SPOKEN , EMPHASIS ] □ [V + with ] We produced the best soccer of the tournament. Nobody would argue with that. [Also V that]
8 to argue the toss → see toss SYNONYMS argue VERB
1
disagree: The two men had disagreed about reincarnation.
quarreclass="underline" At one point we quarrelled, over something silly.
row: He had earlier rowed with his girlfriend.
squabble: My four-year-old squabbles with his friends.
fight: Mostly, they fight about paying bills.
3
discuss: The cabinet met today to discuss how to respond to the ultimatum.
debate: The United Nations Security Council will debate the issue today.
thrash out: …a sincere effort by two people to thrash out differences.
dispute: Some economists disputed whether consumer spending is as strong as the figures suggest.
ar|gu|ment ◆◆◇ /ɑː r gjʊmənt/ (arguments )
1 N‑VAR [N that] An argument is a statement or set of statements that you use in order to try to convince people that your opinion about something is correct. □ [+ for ] There's a strong argument for lowering the price. □ [+ against ] The doctors have set out their arguments against the proposals.
2 N‑VAR An argument is a discussion or debate in which a number of people put forward different or opposing opinions. □ [+ about/over ] The incident has triggered fresh arguments about public spending.
3 N‑COUNT An argument is a conversation in which people disagree with each other angrily or noisily. □ [+ with ] Anny described how she got into an argument with one of the marchers. □ …a heated argument. [Also + between ]
4 N‑UNCOUNT If you accept something without argument , you do not question it or disagree with it. □ He complied without argument.
5 → see also counter-argument SYNONYMS argument NOUN
1
case: Both these facts strengthen the case against hanging.
justification: To me the only justification for a zoo is educational.
rationale: However, the rationale for such initiatives is not, of course, solely economic.
3
row: A man had been stabbed to death in a family row.
quarreclass="underline" I had a terrible quarrel with my other brothers.
fight: He had a big fight with his dad the night before.
clash: There were clashes between police in riot gear and demonstrators.
feud: …a long and bitter feud between the state government and the villagers.
ar|gu|men|ta|tion /ɑː r gjʊmente I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Argumentation is the process of arguing in an organized or logical way, for example in philosophy. [FORMAL ]
ar|gu|men|ta|tive /ɑː r gjʊme ntət I v/ ADJ Someone who is argumentative is always ready to disagree or start quarrelling with other people. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ You're in an argumentative mood today!
aria /ɑː riə/ (arias ) N‑COUNT An aria is a song for one of the leading singers in an opera or choral work.
arid /æ r I d/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Arid land is so dry that very few plants can grow on it. □ …new strains of crops that can withstand arid conditions.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something such as a period of your life or an academic subject as arid , you mean that it has so little interest, excitement, or purpose that it makes you feel bored or unhappy. □ She had given him the only joy his arid life had ever known.
Aries /eə riːz/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Aries is one of the twelve signs of the zodiac. Its symbol is a ram. People who are born approximately between 21st March and 19th April come under this sign.
2 N‑SING An Aries is a person whose sign of the zodiac is Aries.
arise ◆◇◇ /əra I z/ (arises , arising , arose , arisen /ər I zən/)
1 VERB If a situation or problem arises , it begins to exist or people start to become aware of it. □ [V ] The birds also attack crops when the opportunity arises.
2 VERB If something arises from a particular situation, or arises out of it, it is created or caused by the situation. □ [V + from/out of ] …an overwhelming sense of guilt arising from my actions.
3 VERB If something such as a new species, organization, or system arises , it begins to exist and develop. □ [V ] Heavy Metal music really arose in the late 60s.
4 VERB When you arise , you get out of bed in the morning. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] He arose at 6:30 a.m. as usual.
5 VERB When you arise from a sitting or kneeling position, you stand up. [FORMAL ] □ [V + from ] When I arose from the chair, my father and Eleanor's father were in deep conversation. □ [V ] Arise, Sir William. SYNONYMS arise VERB 1
develop: A row has developed about the pollution emanating from a chemical plant.
occur: If headaches occur at night, lack of fresh air may be the cause.