SAT- The language of argument, reasoning, and persuasion

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advocate (v)

to provide public support for a person, cause, or policy

apologist (n)

one who argues for a particular, often contriversial, position

appease (v)

to yield to demands in order to conciliate

bolster (v)

to strengthen or support

buttress (n) or (v)

(n): a projecting support for a building, usually of stone or brick; any strong support

(v): to provide with support or justification

cajole (v)

to persuade through flattery or coaxing

circumlocutory (adj)

inclined to speak evasively; speaking as if to avoid the subject

circumscribe (v)

to define the limits of something, often an issue or problem

cohesive (adj)

forming a united whole

conjecture (n)

a guess based on incomplete information

consensus (n)

1: general agreement

2: the generally held opinion on a matter

contentious (adj)

causing or likely to provoke an argument

credulous (adj)

willing to believe

criteria (n, pl)

principals or standards by which something is judged or decided

cursory (adj)

hasty and superficial

debunk (v)

to describe or portray precisely

dispel (v)

to drive away; to eliminate a rumor, misconception, or bad feeling

disputatious (adj)

1 (of a person): fond of having heated arguments.

2 (of a situation): likely to cause an arugument

elucidate (v)

to make clear; shed light on

enticement (n)

something that attracts or tempts, particuarly because it offers pleasure or advantage

enumerate (v)

to list one by one

equivocate (v)

to speak ambiguously so as to avoid commitment

exhortation (n)

a strong plea, usally through urdent speech

exonerate (v)

to absolve someone of blame or fault

fallacious (adj)

based on mistaken belief or unsound reasoning

harangue (n)

a lengthy and bombastic speech

incongruous (adj)

not consistent with expectations or surroundings

induce (v)

1: to bring about

2: to persuade to do something