Vocab 1

  1. provocative (adj.)—causing annoyance, anger, or another strong reaction, esp. deliberately. 

  2. incendiary (adj.)—intending to stir up conflict; “fired up with rage”

  3. incite (v.)—to encourage or stir up (violent or unlawful behavior).

  4. mollify (v.)—appease the anger or anxiety of (someone); to soften the severity of something. 

  5. unequivocal (adj.)—leaving no doubt; unambiguous; irrefutable.

  6. indisputable (adj.)—unable to be disputed, challenged, or denied

  7. incontrovertible (adj.)—unable to be disputed, challenged, or denied

  8. equivocal (adj.)—relating to using words in a way that leaves doubt, uncertainty, or ambiguity. 

  9. vague (adj.)—unclear, hazy, not definitive.

  10. digress (v.)—leave the main subject temporarily in speech or writing; to wander off topic. 

  11. veer (v.)—to change direction suddenly; to change path.

  12. diverge (v.)—to separate from another route, especially a main one, and go in a different direction.

  13. brouhaha (n.)—a noisy and overexcited reaction or response to something (esp. over something considered minor or turns out to be minor) 

  14. hullabaloo (n.)—a commotion; a fuss.

  15. kerfuffle (n.)—a commotion or fuss caused by conflicting views. 

  16. nuance (n.)—the very small, slight difference in meaning or expression. 

  17. subtlety (n.)—the state of being so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe.

  18. equitable (adj.)—fair, just

  19. equalitarian (adj.)—relating to or believing all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities.

  20. egalitarian (adj.)—relating to or believing all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities

  21. equanimity (n.)—mental calmness, even of temper

  22. polarize (v.)—to cause a divide into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs.

  23. argument (n.)—a reason or set of reasons given to persuade others that an action or idea is right or wrong.

  24. controversial (adj.)—giving rise or likely to give rise to public disagreement.

  25. dispute (n.)—a sharp, strong disagreement or argument.

  26. debate (v.)—to formally argue about (a subject).

  27. consensus (n.)—a general agreement.

  28. concession (n.)—the act of giving into a demand or acknowledging a position.

  29. contend (v.)—to assert or maintain something as a position or an argument.

  30. refute (v.)—prove (a statement or theory) to be wrong or false; disprove.

  31.  irrefutable (adj.—cannot be proven wrong or false.

  32. proponent (n.)—someone who advocates for a cause, theory, or idea; advocate.

  33. adversary (n)—one’s opponent in a conflict, dispute, or contest.

  34. obstructionism (n.)—the practice of deliberately impeding or delaying the course of legal, legislative, or other procedures

  35. camp (n.)—the supporters of a particular party or doctrine regarded collectively.