counterargument

noun
coun·​ter·​ar·​gu·​ment | \ ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈär-gyə-mənt How to pronounce counterargument (audio) \
variants: or counter-argument
plural counterarguments or counter-arguments

Definition of counterargument

: an opposing argument Joseph Stiglitz's new book, "The Price of Inequality," is the single most comprehensive counterargument to both Democratic neoliberalism and Republican laissez-faire theories.— Thomas B. Edsall … careful consideration of each of the arguments made by the appellant, and of the counter-arguments advanced by the appellees …— Jonathan M. Landers et al.

Examples of counterargument in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are some compelling reasons to prioritize health care, but also some pretty compelling counterarguments. Matthew Yglesias, Vox, "Democrats are skipping the most important health care debate," 2 Aug. 2019 The counterargument is that his lifetime batting stats don’t quite reach Hall of Fame levels. William Mcgurn, WSJ, "Basking in Baseball’s Summer of ’69," 24 June 2019 The counterargument is that injuries can happen anywhere, and every athlete is one play away from a career-ending injury—and the end of potential earnings as a result. Michael Mccann, SI.com, "Coco Gauff and the Legality of the Teenager Professional Athlete," 3 July 2019 To be sure, the SDNY has a counterargument, and it will be vigorously made. Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, "Acosta’s Sweetheart Deal Likely to Foreclose Epstein’s SDNY Prosecution," 13 July 2019 The tide of xenophobia in the East and the West certainly deserves a robust counterargument. Bilal Qureshi, Washington Post, "Immigration as reparation for colonialism, climate change and corporate greed," 21 June 2019 In an impassioned style reminiscent of her best-selling historical novels, Johnston made the case for female equality and laid out counterarguments for some of the common criticisms of the movement. Annika Neklason, The Atlantic, "How The Atlantic Covered the Fight for Women’s Suffrage," 4 June 2019 Synek’s objections were met with equally passionate counterarguments. cleveland.com, "Independence voters to see 3.4-mill schools levy on Nov. 5 ballot," 26 June 2019 Tweet counterarguments to @KristenGBaldwin or @DarrenFranich. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, "EW's Best of Shows podcast: What do Desus and Mero's beards have to do with Game of Thrones?," 17 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'counterargument.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of counterargument

1812, in the meaning defined above

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