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Arguable Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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arguable

[ˈɑːrɡjʊəbəl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

in debate

Open to argument or debate; not certain or definite.

Synonyms

debatable, doubtful, questionable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
arguable

Used when referring to something that can be presented as true but is open to dispute or differing opinions.

  • It's arguable that the new policy will benefit everyone
debatable

Applied to a topic or issue that can be discussed in detail and is open to different interpretations.

  • Whether the new art piece is beautiful or not is debatable
questionable

Often used with a negative connotation, referring to something that is likely to be false or suspect.

  • The company's questionable practices led to an investigation
doubtful

Used to express skepticism or uncertainty about something happening or being true.

  • It's doubtful that the team will win the championship this year

Examples of usage

  • It is arguable whether the film is a work of art or simply a commercial product.
  • His decision to resign is arguable, as some believe he should have stayed in his position.
  • The benefits of this new policy are arguable, with both positive and negative aspects to consider.
Context #2 | Adjective

potentially true

Capable of being argued; plausible.

Synonyms

acceptable, defensible, reasonable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
arguable

Used when talking about a point or statement that can be debated or questioned.

  • It's arguable whether this new law will be effective.
  • His claims are highly arguable and may not hold up under scrutiny.
defensible

Used to describe something that can be justified or supported, especially in terms of argument or logic.

  • His decision to leave the job was defensible given the circumstances.
  • The theory is defensible if we consider all the available evidence.
reasonable

Used to describe something that is fair, sensible, or appropriate in the given context.

  • It is reasonable to expect that prices will increase next year.
  • They came to a reasonable compromise after hours of negotiation.
acceptable

Used to describe something that meets certain standards or conditions and is generally approved.

  • Her presentation was acceptable, but it could use some improvement.
  • Finding an acceptable solution to the problem will take time.

Examples of usage

  • It is arguable that his theory has some merit, although further research is needed.
  • Her interpretation of the data is arguable, but it provides an interesting perspective.
  • The proposal is arguable in its logic, but implementation may pose challenges.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'arguable'

The word 'arguable' originated from the verb 'argue' in the mid-16th century. It combines the suffix '-able' meaning 'capable of' with 'argue', which comes from Latin 'arguere' meaning 'to make clear, prove, argue'. Over the centuries, 'arguable' has evolved to represent something open to debate or discussion.

See also: arguably, argued, arguer, arguing, argumentative, outargue, unarguable.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,759, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.