1. argue主张
to give reasons for or against something
argue常常译为：主张，认为，提出理由说明该怎么样等。只有当argue 与 against连用时，才表示“反对”。指为自己或自己一方的看法或立场辩护，侧重说理、论证和说服。
A Marxist sociologist has argued that racism stems from the class struggle that is unique to the capitalist system.
一个马克思主义社会学家认为种族主义起源于资本主义体系所特有的阶级斗争。
His lawyers are arguing that he is unfit to stand trial.
他的律师正在提出理由说明他不适合出庭受审。
He argued that they needed more time to finish the project.
他提出理由说明他们需要更多的时间来完成该项目。
Some people argue that the death penalty should be restored.
有些人主张恢复死刑。
He argued that she should not go.
他争辩说她不该去。
She argued against delaying the meeting.
她据理反对推迟开会。
The primary purpose of the passage is to argue against government restrictions on developing new infrastructure.
这篇文章的主要目的是反对政府限制发展新基础设施的举措。
The report argues against tax increases.
报告提出理由反对提高税率。
Who could argue against motherhood and apple pie?
谁会反对母性与家庭的温馨呢？
2.assert v. 坚决主张；断言
to state something in a strong and definite way
含较强的主观意味，指坚决而明确地表示某事真实无误。表达很确切的“认为”。
She asserted that French cooking is the best in the world.
她坚称法国菜是世界上最好的。
The scientist asserted that there is no water on the moon.
那位科学家断言月球上没有水。
3.contend v. 主张，声称
to argue or state something in a strong and definite way
指声称某事属实，含有与他人进行争辩的意思.有时可以译为：认为
通常表达对于某事持有肯定的看法；
He contended that it was true.
他声称那是真的。
I would contend that unemployment is the most serious social problem today.
我认为失业是当今最为严重的社会弊病。
Some researchers contend that sleep plays no role in the consolidation of declarative memory.
一些研究者认为睡眠与陈述性记忆的加固无关。
4.maintain v. 坚持说，坚持认为
to affirm in or as if in argument
指坚决维护某种主张或观点等。
She maintained her innocence.
她坚持自己是无辜的。
He maintains that he once saw a UFO.
他坚称自己曾看见过飞碟。
Defenders of special protective labor legislation for women often maintain that eliminating such laws would destroy the fruits of a century-long struggle for the protection of women workers.
针对女性的特别*护性劳动立法的支持者认为取消这种*护女性劳动权的法律会破坏长达一个世纪的为*护女性工人而斗争的成果。
5. debate v. 辩论，讨论；仔细考虑；思考；盘算
to discuss sth, especially formally, before making a decision or finding a solution；to think carefully about sth before making a decision
指持不同意见的双方或多方进行正式或公开的论辩，旨在得出结论或找出解决办法。
I debated the plan with Mr. Green.
我与格林先生就该项计划展开辩论。
The United Nations Security Council will debate the issue today.
联合国安理会今天将就这个问题展开讨论。
The UN members were debating the situation in the Middle East.
联合国成员正在就中东局势展开辩论。
Politicians will be debating the bill later this week.
政界将在本周晚些时候讨论这个议案。
An intense debate is going on within the Israeli government...
以色列政府内部正在进行激烈的辩论。（名词）
The question of the origin of the universe is still hotly debated (= strongly argued about) by scientists.
关于宇宙起源问题，科学家仍进行着激烈辩论。
The students debated the aesthetic of the poems.
学生就这些诗的美感展开了辩论。
The committee will debate whether to lower the age of club membership to 16.
委员会将讨论是否将参加俱乐部的年龄限制放宽到16岁。
We're debating whether or not to go skiing this winter.
我们盘算着今年冬天是否去滑雪。
Taggart debated whether to have yet another double vodka.
塔格特思忖着是否再要一杯双份伏特加。
6.dispute v. [正式] 争辩，争执
to argue or disagree strongly with sb about sth, especially about who owns sth；
侧重指激烈地争辩，常隐含“各持己见”或“争论不休”的意味，尤指就某物的归属问题进行争辩。
What should be done in the next stage is hotly disputed.
下阶段该做什么，争论很激烈。
Here is a list of disputed territories around the world.
这张单子列出了世界范围内有争议的领土。
Russia and Ukraine have been disputing the ownership of the fleet.
俄罗斯和乌克兰一直在争夺舰队的所有权。
Ownership of the land is currently being disputed.
这块土地的所有权现在还有争议。
The family wanted to dispute the will.
家属想对遗嘱提出质疑。
No one is disputing that there is a problem.
没有人否认现在存在着问题。
The issue remains hotly disputed .
这个问题至今仍在激烈地辩论中。
He disputed the allegations.
他对指控表示怀疑。