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to present reasons for or against a thing:
He argued in favor of capital punishment.
to contend in oral disagreement; dispute:
The senator argued with the president about the new tax bill.
to state the reasons for or against:
The lawyers argued the case.
to maintain in reasoning:
to argue that the news report must be wrong.
to persuade, drive, etc., by reasoning:
to argue someone out of a plan.
to show; prove; imply; indicate:
His clothes argue poverty.
Contemporary Examples

This brings us to the core conceptual issue, which Herndon, Ash and Pollin argue greatly biases our results.
Rogoff and Reinhart Respond Megan McArdle April 16, 2013

Both of them argue that they were simply burned out after four years at the helm, and it was just time to move on.
Inside the Implosion of GOProud, the Right’s Most Notorious Pro-Gay Group Tim Mak June 5, 2014

To argue otherwise, or even to hint otherwise, is irresponsible.
Wake Up, Huck: Obama Didn’t Grow Up in Kenya! Mark McKinnon March 2, 2011

One could argue that all governments see the world through the lens of national sovereignty.
Obama’s G-20 Misfire Zachary Karabell November 10, 2010

We can argue about whether Obamacare will be good for America.
Obamacare: Job Killer or Entrepreneurial Turbocharger? Megan McArdle June 4, 2013

Historical Examples

I was not such a fool as to argue with him, so pretended his reply was a knock-out.
The Journal of a Disappointed Man Wilhelm Nero Pilate Barbellion

Mrs. Roberts was not in the mood to argue; she was bent on information.
Ester Ried Yet Speaking Isabella Alden

If people would whistle more and argue less, the world would be much happier and probably just as wise.
Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources James Wood

“But I can’t see——” Aggie began to argue with the petulance of a spoiled child.
Within the Law Marvin Dana

We are going to argue that the Anglo-Saxons give 120 acres, arable acres, to the hide.
Domesday Book and Beyond Frederic William Maitland

verb -gues, -guing, -gued
(intransitive) to quarrel; wrangle: they were always arguing until I arrived
(intransitive; often foll by for or against) to present supporting or opposing reasons or cases in a dispute; reason
(transitive; may take a clause as object) to try to prove by presenting reasons; maintain
(transitive; often passive) to debate or discuss: the case was fully argued before agreement was reached
(transitive) to persuade: he argued me into going
(transitive) to give evidence of; suggest: her looks argue despair
v.

c.1300, “to make reasoned statements to prove or refute a proposition,” from Old French arguer “maintain an opinion or view; harry, reproach, accuse, blame” (12c.), from Latin argutare “to prattle, prate,” frequentative of arguere “make clear, make known, prove, declare, demonstrate,” from PIE *argu-yo-, from root *arg- “to shine, be white, bright, clear” (see argent). Meaning “to oppose, dispute” is from late 14c. Related: Argued; arguing.