Skip to main content
heated argument

heated argument

7 3.5
A strong angry disagreement between people with loud voices
  • noun
  • /ˈhiːtɪd ˈɑːrɡjʊmənt/
translation icon : discusión acalorada
  • After sharing their conflicting views, a heated argument erupted between the two friends.
  • five heated arguments
  • only heated arguments
  • three heated arguments

In those situations, we use our current feelings as fuel for a heated argument.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Kristina yanks her arm away, and they get into a heated argument.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • In the early years of the republic, after much heated argument, the vote was finally extended to those who didn't own property.

    Academic text (2005)
  • The store owner was in a heated argument with two men who wanted to get gasoline.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • An episode of EastEnders featured a heated argument between Sharon and Phil.

    Blog text (10)
  • One day, in their laboratory, a heated argument erupted into a slugging match.

  • At times, his difficulties with peers escalated to heated arguments and aggression.

    Academic text (2014)
  • There was a heated argument, a mutually reckless struggle, but no criminal intent.

  • Discussions can be friendly and respectful, or they can devolve into heated arguments, even unreasoning insults.

    Blog text (9)
  • While there, Hull, an atheist, got into a heated argument with Rev. Mr. Turk, a Methodist revivalist.

    Academic text (2005)
  • During the debate, the candidates engaged in a heated argument over climate change policies.

Synonyms

debate
vsheated argument
  • Formal
2.0

A formal discussion where opposing sides argue about a topic

is less formal and centers on heated, emotional expression
fight
vsheated argument
675 2.4

A strong argument between people or groups, often public

focuses more on emotional passion and loud expression
argument
vsheated argument
617 2.3

A disagreement between people that is often angry

is more intense and marked by passionate, loud exchanges
conflict
vsheated argument
397 2.3

A serious disagreement between people or groups over ideas

is narrower, focusing specifically on high emotion and raised voices
dispute
vsheated argument
384 3.0

A serious argument about something important that lasts a long time

is more about immediate passion and loud emotional expression
exchange
vsheated argument
119 3.5

A short angry conversation between two people

is more intensely passionate and likely to flare into shouting
crossfire
vsheated argument
118 5.3

A heated back-and-forth argument between people with different views

is fiercer emotionally and focuses on personal heat rather than speed
row
vsheated argument
  • UK
74 6.0

A noisy argument between people

is more emotionally charged and likely to involve raised voices
quarrel
vsheated argument
61 2.0

An angry argument between people who are usually friendly

is more intense and emotionally explosive than a typical personal dispute
altercation
vsheated argument
52 6.8

A noisy argument between people often in public

is typically deeper in feeling and more heated emotionally
run-in
vsheated argument
  • Informal
41 5.2

An angry argument with someone

is more emotionally charged and often involves louder reactions
contention
vsheated argument
34 6.5

A strong disagreement between people or groups

is more emotionally intense and often louder in delivery
wrangling
vsheated argument
16 6.7

A long heated argument about a specific issue

is often shorter but more passionately emotional
war of words
vsheated argument
15 6.2

A long angry argument in public between opposing groups

is typically shorter and driven by immediate passion rather than duration
heated debate
vsheated argument
12 3.5

An argument with strong feelings and different opinions

is less formal and focuses more on raw emotional intensity
shouting match
vsheated argument
  • Informal
7 3.8

A noisy argument in which people try to shout louder than each other

is broader, including passion and intensity beyond voice volume
heated discussion
vsheated argument
5 3.7

An argument where people speak loudly and with strong feelings

is even more passionate and likely to involve raised voices
sparring
vsheated argument
4 5.8

A short angry argument where people try to gain an advantage

is driven more by emotion and personal passion than tactic
wrangle
vsheated argument
2 7.4

A noisy argument that lasts a long time

is usually more immediately intense and emotionally charged
donnybrook
vsheated argument
2 9.1

A noisy public fight or argument that causes trouble

is more about strong emotion and heated verbal exchange
contestation
vsheated argument
  • Formal
1 8.4

A strong disagreement about something important

is more personal and emotionally driven than formal controversy
argy-bargy
vsheated argument
  • Slang
1 9.9

A noisy argument between people about a small issue

is typically more emotionally intense and less playful
words
vsheated argument
  • Informal
1 6.2

A short angry argument between people

is more deeply emotional and likely to escalate loudly
flite
vsheated argument
  • Archaic
1 9.9

An argument between people that uses angry words

is more driven by strong passion and raised voices
acrimonious argument
vsheated argument
7.8

A bitter, angry argument that causes hard feelings

has greater emotional heat and may include raised voices

Antonyms

52 1.0

A quiet, peaceful feeling that helps you stay steady

How Heated

confrontation
294 4.5
heated argument
7 3.5
argument
617 2.3
disagreement
268 1.6
difference of opinion
  • Specialized
30 3.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

heated + argument

The meaning is directly compositional: 'heated' (emotionally intense) modifies 'argument' (a disagreement), yielding an intense or passionate disagreement. This adjective+noun pattern and the metaphorical use of 'heated' are common cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Heated argument comes from a simple picture: when people are angry they often feel hot and speak loudly, as if the room is getting warmer, so heated with argument means 'a very intense or angry disagreement'.