Definition of "argue" []

• To put forth reasons for or against; debate: "It is time to stop arguing tax-rate reductions and to enact them” ( Paul Craig Roberts). (verb-transitive)
• To attempt to prove by reasoning; maintain or contend: The speaker argued that more immigrants should be admitted to the country. (verb-transitive)
• To give evidence of; indicate: "Similarities cannot always be used to argue descent” ( Isaac Asimov). (verb-transitive)
• To persuade or influence (another), as by presenting reasons: argued the clerk into lowering the price. (verb-transitive)
• To put forth reasons for or against something: argued for dismissal of the case; argued against an immediate counterattack. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Critics of the term argue that associating the religion of Islam with fascism is offensive and inaccurate."
• "Critics of the term argue that associating the religion of Islam with fascism is offensive and inaccurate-well, perhaps those critics, finding the term offensive and inaccurate, might do something about modifying the behavior leading to the use of the term. otherwise, there is a phrase about the shoe and if it fits that springs to mind."
• "Even those who believe in the existence of this term argue that there is a "strong sense" (meaning genuine) critical thinking to be distinguished from a "weak sense" version, but I don't think (contra Paul and others) there are good, universally recognized warrants, standards, or criteria to draw those distinctions, especially in all the fields it could potentially encompass."