essential vocab - key argument words

say the definition of the word and what it does

advance

• move forward

• make a claim

assert

• state a fact confidently

• make a claim

conjecture (v and n)

• opinion based off of incomplete info

• make a claim

posit

• assume as a fact

• make a claim

postulate

• suggest / assume as true

• make a claim

speculate

• form a theory/conjecture

• make a claim

hypothesize

• idea that can be tested

• make a claim

bolster

• reinforce/give a boost to

• support a claim

buttress

• something that supports or strengthens

• support a claim

corroborate

• confirm or give support to

• support a claim

proponent

• one who argues in favor of something

• support a claim

substantiate

• to establish by proof

• support a claim

attribute

• regard something as being caused by someone/something

• provide sources

cite

• to quote by way of example, authority, or proof

• provide sources

underscore

• to make evident

• emphasize

grapple with

• struggle to understand or deal with a difficult problem

• think about

mull over

• to think carefully about something

• think about

ruminate about

• to think deeply and at length about something with a focus on negative aspects, often repeatedly

• think about

infer

• to derive as a conclusion from fact

• draw a reasonable conclusion

surmise

• suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it

• draw a reasonable conclusion

coalesce

• to unite

• come together, agreement

consensus

• a general agreement

• come together, agreement

converge

• to come together/meet

• come together, agreement

reconcile

• can coexist in harmony - restore friendly relations

• come together, agreement

concede

• admit that something is true or valid after first denying or resisting it

• recognizing the truth of a claim

detractor

• to diminish the importance, value, or effectiveness of something

• disagre, question a claim

discord

• lack of agreement or harmony, conflict/quarreling

• disagree, question a claim

discount

• to view with doubt

• disagree, question a claim

diverge

• differ in opinion, draw apart

• disagree, question a claim

skeptic

• a person inclined to question or doubt accepted opinions

• disagree, question a claim

rebut

• claim that an accusation is false

• argue agaisnt, disprove

refute

• prove that an accusation is false\

• argue against, disprove

undermine

• to weaken their position, authority, or confidence, often in a subtle or indirect way

• argue agaisnt, disprove

recant

• formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure

• take back a claim

rescind

• take back, cancel

• take back a claim

confound

• cause surprise and confusion

• confuse

perplex

• cause someone to feel completely baffled

• confuse

abundance

• a big amount

bevy

• a large group of people or things of a particular kind

• large amount

copious

• large in quantity or number

multitude

• large number of people or things

myriad

• a countless or extremely great number

prodigious

• remarkably or impressively great in size

profusion

• great quantity - lavish display or supply

• large amount

dearth

• scarcity - inadequate supply

• lack of

devoid

• entirely lacking or free from

paucity

• the presence of something only in small or insufficient quantities or amounts; scarcity.