Choose the correct word to fill in the blank: The police tried to get him to _____, but he refused to say a word until his lawyer arrived.

The appropriate word to fill in the blank is "confess." In this context, it implies that the police were trying to get the individual to acknowledge or admit guilt regarding a crime. The use of "confess" specifically conveys this notion of revealing a truth about one’s involvement in wrongdoing, which aligns with the legal context of needing a lawyer before speaking.

While "admit" could seem like a suitable alternative because it also involves acknowledging something, it lacks the specific connotation of admitting guilt related to a crime, which "confess" clearly communicates. The other options— "argue" and "agree"—do not fit the context. "Argue" suggests presenting a case or debating, which is not relevant to the situation described, and "agree" implies reaching a consensus or accepting a position rather than revealing information or guilt. Thus, "confess" is the most precise word choice that captures the scenario depicted in the sentence.