Proximity semantics for topic-based abstract argumentation.

•Arguments are decorated with labels (hashtags) denoting referential information about the topics addressed by these arguments. This provides a supporting structure for the analysis of multi-topic argumentation.•A semantic network of topics is defined, and a notion of distance between arguments is characterized. The distance is based on the hashtags of both arguments.•Classical acceptability is revised by taking the distance of arguments into account. Proximity of arguments is then relevant for argument defense.•Proximity-based semantic extensions are defined, and a comparison analysis with its classical counterpart semantics is addressed.