Q&A for How to Argue With Someone Who Thinks They Are Always Right

It depends on the situation. If you're the one making the decision, then it's a benevolent dictatorship—you're the one who breaks the tie. You might say, "Listen, I hear you, but I really think it's going to be this, and that is the decision." If you're working with an equal, go back to the argument and try to understand the other person. Sometimes, it's not a win or lose situation, and you have to come up with some sort of agreement.

Some people intimidate others because deep down they feel inferior, and intimidating others is their only way of making themselves feel superior.

Although any previous mistakes we have made can influence how a person thinks of us, it shouldn't invalidate our right to have an opinion or idea. It's important to stay calm and not be reactive when a person uses such tactics to argue their point.

You don't gain much by proving them wrong. They might actually have forgotten what they did or said. Arguing in this case would be pointless. The more you try to prove yourself to be right, the more defensive the other person will get and you'll both end up upset. However, if the person is trying to manipulate you, it may be time to end that relationship.

When your wife speaks, actively listen and reiterate what you heard back to her and then tell her your thoughts on it. Try to refrain from coming off as accusing or condemning her. Assure her that you just want to help, and you're not blaming her. If all else fails, you may want to seek couples' counseling.

Remain calm, but let them know that you were offended. If they press on about that, just try to change the subject or politely remove yourself from the argument.

Any brain injury can certainly change a person's personality. Additionally, one of the first signs of Alzheimer's is irritability and argumentativeness. This behavior can be difficult but is fairly normal for a case like this. If you're not sure what's going on, consult your doctor.

Take your wife into another room, away from the children, and explain that it hurts the children when they hear their parents arguing. If there's no give and take, they are taught that bullying is the right way to win an argument.

That's tough. Avoid mimicking the tone that's bothering you (which may come across as mocking) if you can. Patiently explain what you're hearing when that person speaks to you in that way and how it makes you feel. Even if it's not true (i.e. that person is intentionally trying to be hurtful), you can preface your comments by saying, "I'm sure you don't mean to come across this way, but..."

It's really hard to have a healthy relationship with someone who can't admit when their wrong. You've probably tried to talk to him about this, but it couldn't hurt to try again. Let him know how you're feeling and what he can do better. Consider couple's counseling to try to learn how to fight in a healthier manner.

Look at some of the recent arguments you've had with them. Try to see past the surface topics of the arguments (i.e. cleaning your room, hanging out with so and so, behavior) and see if you can identify the underlying emotions that trigger the disagreements. One way to do this is to analyze how you feel before, during, and after the argument. It sounds like you don't like arguing with your parents and that's a great thing.

Try using less-threatening tactics. Instead of saying, "You're wrong," try, "Maybe there's another solution."

This is a very touchy situation as the spouse should come first. You may be able to compromise with him depending on what it is that you are requesting. A successful marriage requires work on both parts. If you feel as if you are doing all of the work, you may want to address it with your spouse and possibly suggest marital counseling.

Just explain to them that you do not want to spend your time with someone who always has to be right.

Tell that person that you feel hurt. No one can argue with how you say you are feeling - It's like telling someone who says they feel cold that they aren't really cold. Use that expression of hurt as a jumping off point for connection.

You just do it. If you continue to hold back and hold it in, you are going to eventually blow and could end up with a severed relationship. I've been there a few times with my daughter. Now, the time to tell your sister how you feel and let her know the consequences if she refuses to respect others' views is NOT in the heat of the moment. You might have to "schedule" a powwow sort of thing to clue her in. Make sure everybody is on board with it and figure out your approach ahead of time. You DON'T want her to feel like she is being "assaulted" and that everyone's been lying in wait for her.

Don't fight. Something is true or false regardless of what others believe or say about it. If I say I like sushi, you don't know if I do or don't, and from your point of view it can be either. However, whatever you believe doesn't change my statement from true to false. If today you believe that I do, but tomorrow believe I don't, I won't suddenly find my taste in sushi will have changed. This is a measure of maturity in reasoning, debating and relationships in general. Try to make him see his logical mistake, but leave him for a more grown-up man if he fails to realize this. This is draining, and borders on psychological abuse.

Get marital counseling. Ask him if he loves you enough to commit to working on your marriage together. You will not have problems fixed overnight, but you want to be in a place where you are both able to look at the situation, see the same problem, and want to seek the same solution.

You don't. You laugh, smile, and walk away.

Even if you are always right (which is unlikely), staying humble will help you keep your relationships. That is, maybe you should let other people "win" sometimes.

If this is an ongoing issue and they are completely unwilling to hear you out and amend their behavior when they've done something wrong, you probably should not be with this person, even if you love them. Giving couple's counseling a try could help, but some people are just not compatible. It sounds like your partner needs to grow up and gain some maturity before they'll be capable of being in a serious relationship.

If a personality can be defined as "the combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual's distinctive character", then a personality disorder can be understood as a "deeply ingrained and maladaptive pattern of behavior of a specified kind, typically apparent by the time of adolescence, causing long-term difficulties in personal relationships or in functioning in society".

Redirect the words spoken by that person by asking a question. If you ask a question, you can make the person stop and think about what they're saying.

You should just ignore them. I understand it's difficult, and if it doesn't work, just try telling this person to stop. You can also admit that they are right, even if you disagree. No need to keep up an argument if it is not needed.

Tell them that you learned your lesson and you won't do it again. If they keep trying to make you feel bad, then the best thing to do is leave. Also, don't yell. It will only make the person you're arguing with more mad.

I have the same issue, believe me it isn't worth it. People like this are quite stubborn and do not listen. When they behave immaturely, don't show them you are annoyed, or they will see it as an advantage. It's better off not arguing with people like this. Figure out what kinds of things trigger your arguments with this person and try to avoid them.

You first need to find out where this "Right Fighting" drive within this person comes from. Does he feel inferior to you and need to try to assert some superiority? Are you, perhaps, someone who is "always right," thus provoking this person to stand his ground even when he knows he's wrong, just so he can be "right" for once? Telling this person at a calm time how he makes you feel when he refuses to hear you will give you a good idea of where he is coming from with this behavior. If the person gets defensive and launches into "Right Fighting", then it's manipulation, and you should calmly point that out. If he is upset that he is making you feel afraid to voice your opinions, suggestions, or views, then he will check that behavior. Create a "You're doing it" word or signal so he can catch himself and stop.

Tell them that you love them but that you don't feel that they allow you to have a "voice." By saying this, you will either have made your point or they will ask you to explain. That gives you the chance to describe the pattern of their behavior that hurts you. Be prepared to give them multiple examples.

Generally, try to be as composed and forbearing as possible. Make the argumentative person aware that you're being repeatedly interrupted. Start counting the interruptions politely while also attentively listening to the points they're making. Wait for the number that you can emphasise enough and then warn them that you're going to end the discussion or conclude that they're wrong if they interrupt you anymore.

This sounds toxic, it will become an unhappy relationship if he doesn't respect you. If you really want try to overcome it, stay calm during any arguments. Let him keep talking, and collect your thoughts, then build up your argument. Also, always own up to it, if you realize you're wrong. However, if he still won't listen after he's said his piece, then he may not be capable of changing, so bear that in mind.