Academic Vocabulary

assert

state something firmly; asserting does not by itself prove it

claim

state that something is true, often as part of an argument

contend

argue or maintain that a claim is true

maintain

continue to argue that a position is true

posit

put forward an idea or assumption for consideration

propose

present an idea, explanation, or plan for consideration

hypothesize

offer a testable possible explanation

speculate

form a guess or theory without strong evidence

infer

reach a conclusion from evidence and reasoning

imply

suggest something indirectly rather than state it

suggest

present something as possible or likely without proving it

indicate

provide evidence that points toward a conclusion

demonstrate

show something clearly through evidence or example

establish

show something to be true or firmly recognized

prove

establish something as true with sufficient evidence

substantiate

support a claim with evidence

corroborate

confirm a claim with additional evidence

validate

show that a method, claim, or result is sound or acceptable

verify

check and confirm that something is accurate or true

confirm

provide evidence that something is true

support

provide reasons or evidence for a claim

bolster

strengthen an argument, theory, or position

reinforce

strengthen an existing idea, pattern, or effect

underscore

emphasize the importance of something

emphasize

give special importance or attention to something

highlight

draw attention to an important feature or point

illustrate

make an idea clear by giving an example

exemplify

serve as an example of a broader idea or pattern

clarify

make an idea easier to understand

define

state the exact meaning of a term or concept

describe

give the characteristics or details of something

explain

show how or why something happens

interpret

explain the meaning or significance of something

analyze

examine parts and relationships carefully

evaluate

judge quality, value, effectiveness, or importance

assess

evaluate or estimate something carefully

compare

examine similarities and possibly differences

contrast

focus on differences between things

distinguish

identify an important difference

differentiate

show or recognize how things differ

categorize

place things into groups based on shared traits

classify

arrange things into defined groups or types

synthesize

combine information into a coherent new understanding

summarize

state the main ideas briefly

generalize

form a broad conclusion from specific evidence

qualify a claim

limit, soften, or modify a claim with conditions or exceptions

concede

admit that an opposing or inconvenient point is true

acknowledge

recognize or admit that something exists or is true

dispute

question or disagree with a claim

challenge

call a claim into question without necessarily disproving it

question

express doubt about a claim or assumption

counter

respond to an argument with an opposing point

rebut

answer an argument by showing why it is mistaken

refute

prove a claim or argument wrong

invalidate

show that a claim, method, or conclusion is not valid

undermine

weaken confidence in a claim, theory, or position

weaken

make an argument, effect, or relationship less strong

negate

cancel, reverse, or make something ineffective

contradict

state or show the opposite of another claim

reconcile

make apparently conflicting ideas consistent or acceptable

resolve

settle a problem, conflict, or uncertainty

address

deal with, discuss, or attempt to solve an issue

account for

explain or be responsible for something

attribute to

explain something as caused by a particular factor

derive from

come from or originate in something

stem from

originate or result from something

arise from

develop or occur because of something

result in

cause a particular outcome

yield

produce a result, finding, or amount

facilitate

make a process or action easier

enable

make something possible

foster

encourage the development of something

promote

encourage, support, or increase something

stimulate

cause or encourage more activity

enhance

improve quality, value, or effectiveness

augment

increase or add to something

amplify

increase the strength, amount, or effect

intensify

make stronger or more extreme

exacerbate

make a problem or harmful condition worse

mitigate

make something harmful or severe less serious

alleviate

reduce pain, difficulty, or severity

diminish

make or become smaller, weaker, or less important

inhibit

restrain, reduce, or prevent an action or process

impede

hinder or slow progress

constrain

limit what is possible

restrict

place limits on something

preclude

make an outcome impossible or prevent it in advance

preserve

protect something from loss or change

sustain

keep something continuing over time

retain

continue to possess or keep something

transform

change something greatly in form or character

modify

change something partly rather than completely

alter

change something

adapt

adjust to new conditions or purposes

conform to

follow or match a standard, pattern, or expectation

deviate from

depart from a standard, pattern, or path

defy

resist or refuse to follow expectations

transcend

go beyond the usual limits of something

encompass

include or cover a wide range

comprise

consist of or include; the whole comprises the parts