Digital SAT English: Essential Vocabulary 02 - Claims, Explanations, Evidence, and Opposition

Essential vocabulary flashcards covering claims, explanations, evidence, and opposition terms (words 031–060), functional disagreement verbs, and critical vocabulary distinctions for the Digital SAT English test.

posit (verb)

To put forward an idea, explanation, or assumption for consideration.

contend (verb)

To argue or maintain that a particular claim is true (note: 'contend with' means to struggle or deal with a difficulty).

presume (verb)

To suppose that something is true, often because it seems likely, without complete proof.

speculate (verb)

To consider possible explanations or outcomes without enough information to be certain.

account for (verb phrase)

To explain why something happened or why something is the way it is.

attribute to (verb phrase)

To identify something as the cause or source of a result (structure: attribute A to B, identifying B as the cause/source of A).

entail (verb)

To involve something as a necessary part or consequence.

elicit (verb)

To draw out a response, reaction, or information (distinct from illicit, which means illegal or forbidden).

provoke (verb)

To cause or stimulate a reaction, often a strong one (can stimulate thought, debate, curiosity, or disagreement).

perpetuate (verb)

To cause a condition, belief, practice, or situation to continue.

counteract (verb)

To act against an influence or effect so that it becomes weaker or is balanced.

inhibit (verb)

To restrain, hinder, or slow an action or process (does not always mean stopping it completely).

methodology (noun)

A system of methods and the principles guiding how a study or task is carried out.

scrutiny (noun)

Close and careful examination.

discrepancy (noun)

A difference or inconsistency between things that are expected to agree.

spurious (adjective)

False, not genuine, or lacking the validity it appears to have.

robust (adjective)

Strong, effective, or able to remain reliable under demanding or varied conditions.

apprehensive (adjective)

Anxious or uneasy about something that may happen.

dogmatic (adjective)

Presenting opinions as unquestionably correct and resisting alternative views.

dispassionate (adjective)

Judging calmly without allowing personal emotion to control the judgment.

candid (adjective)

Honest, direct, and open in expression.

ideology (noun)

A connected system of beliefs or ideas that shapes how people understand society, politics, or the world.

hierarchy (noun)

A system in which people, things, or ideas are arranged in levels or ranks.

equitable (adjective)

Fair and just in the circumstances.

disparity (noun)

A noticeable difference or inequality between people, groups, or things.

contingent (adjective)

Dependent on a particular condition or event.

inevitable (adjective)

Certain to happen or impossible to avoid under the circumstances.

comprehensive (adjective)

Covering all or nearly all important aspects of a subject (distinct from comprehensible, which means possible to understand).

rudimentary (adjective)

Basic, elementary, or at an early stage of development.

nuance (noun)

A subtle difference or variation in meaning, tone, expression, or feeling.

dissent (verb / noun)

To hold or express an opinion different from an accepted, official, or majority view.

dispute (verb / noun)

To question or argue against the truth, accuracy, or validity of something.

contradict (verb)

To state the opposite of something or be incompatible with it.

object (verb)

To express opposition, disapproval, or a reason against something.

challenge (verb / noun)

To question a claim, assumption, or practice and call for it to be defended.

oppose (verb)

To speak or act against something, often with the aim of preventing or resisting it.

counter (verb)

To respond with an opposing argument or action.

refute (verb)

To show through evidence or reasoning that a claim or argument is wrong.

repudiate (verb)

To reject something firmly or refuse to accept or support it.

protest (verb / noun)

To express or demonstrate an objection.

rebuke (verb / noun)

To criticize someone sharply for an action or behavior.

demur (verb / noun)

To object or express reservations about something proposed (distinct from demure, which means quiet or reserved).

rebuff (verb / noun)

To reject an offer, request, or approach abruptly or in an unfriendly way.

disaffirm (verb)

To refuse to confirm something or formally reject its validity.

disaccord (verb / noun)

To disagree or be in conflict; a lack of agreement.

discrepancy vs. disparity

A discrepancy is an unexpected mismatch between records/data that should agree, whereas a disparity is a measurable gap or inequality between things being compared.

counter vs. counteract

Counter means to respond against an opposing argument, whereas counteract means to act against an effect or physical influence.

challenge vs. refute

To challenge is to question a claim and call for evidence, whereas to refute is to establish conclusively with evidence that the claim is false.

repudiate vs. rebuff

Repudiate means to reject a claim, belief, or interpretation firmly, while rebuff means to reject an approach or request abruptly or unfriendlily.

rebuke vs. dispute

Rebuke is sharp criticism focused on a person's conduct or behavior, whereas dispute is an objection directed at the accuracy or validity of a claim.