Argues is the third-person singular present tense of argue, meaning to give reasons or present a dispute in support of a viewpoint. It can also function as a verb in the form of 'he argues that...' indicating the act of presenting argument. In everyday use, it often implies a disagreement expressed with reasoning, tone, and sometimes emphasis.
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"She argues that the policy will fail without proper funding."
"He argues his case calmly, citing recent data."
"The defense argues for a shorter sentence based on rehabilitation."
"They often argue about which restaurant has the best value."
The verb argue traces to Old French argumenter, from Late Latin argumentare, from arguere (to make clear, demonstrate, accuse). The Latin root argu- stems from ad- (toward) plus arguere (to make plain, prove), combining with -ment- suffix in its noun form argument, later turning into English argue in Middle English as a direct verb meaning to persuade by argument. By the 14th–15th centuries, argue had acquired sense related to presenting reasons to support or deny a claim, often in debate or legal contexts. The word's evolution reflects shifting emphasis from general reasoning to structured, sometimes adversarial, discourse. In modern usage, argue typically carries connotations of dispute or vigorous discussion, though it can also mean to present reasons for a specific stance in a non-confrontational manner. The term has diversified into various phrasal forms (argue about, argue for/against) and is closely linked with 'argument' as the substantive product of the act of arguing. First known uses appear in Middle English texts where scholars described disputation and rhetorical argumentation in scholastic and civic debates. Over time, it broadened beyond formal argumentation to everyday disagreement and civil discourse.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "argues" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "argues"
-ars sounds
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Pronounce as AR-ɡz with primary stress on AR. IPA: US/UK/AU /ˈɑːɡz/. Start with an open back unrounded vowel as in 'father', then a hard G /ɡ/, followed by a voiced Z /z/. In fast speech, the /ɡ/ may be lightly released or nearly silent before /z/ in some accents, but you should keep a clear /ɡ/ to avoid confusion with 'arzes'.
Common errors include softening the /ɡ/ to /k/ (ar-kez) or turning the final /z/ into a /s/ in rapid speech. Another mistake is misplacing stress as AR-ɡs or a secondary stress on the second syllable. To correct: ensure a crisp /ɡ/ before /z/ and maintain primary stress on the first syllable; avoid vowel reduction in careful speech, and practice holding the /ɑː/ vowel long enough before the /ɡ/.
In US, UK, and AU, the initial vowel is a broad /ɑː/ like 'father', with rhoticity influencing the r-coloring before the vowel in rhotic accents. UK non-rhotic varieties may have a shorter r-color, making /ˈɑːɡz/ slightly crisper. Australian tends to be closer to UK but with a more centralized /ɹ/ sometimes softened; the final /z/ remains voiced but may be devoiced slightly in rapid speech. Overall, the core is /ˈɑːɡz/ across three varieties, with subtle length and rhotic cues.
Because the word blends a dense onset /ˈɑː/ with a fast /ɡz/ cluster; the presence of the voiced /ɡ/ landing into /z/ requires precise voicing on two adjacent consonants. Many speakers reduce or merge the /ɡ/ into a /k/ or the /z/ into a /s/ in connected speech. Practice holding the /ɡ/ fully and then releasing into a crisp /z/. The word's ending also challenges listeners in maintaining a clear distinction between the hard /g/ and the following /z/ in rapid speech.
Yes—its final cluster /ɡz/ is a characteristic feature, and the word relies on a clear voicing transition from the velar stop to the alveolar fricative. You’ll often hear a subtle release where /ɡ/ is less explosive before /z/ in casual speech, but to be intelligible, keep a distinct /ɡ/ followed by /z/ with full voice.
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