Argument & Evidence

renounce

verb

Definition

Formally give up a claim, belief, or practice.

repudiate

verb

Definition

Reject completely and refuse to be associated with.

biased

adjective

Definition

Unfairly favoring one side.

predicate

verb

Definition

Base something on a stated ground or condition.

notional

adjective

Definition

Existing only as an idea, not in reality.

vindicate

verb

Definition

Clear of blame, or show to have been right after all.

substantiate

verb

Definition

Back up a claim with solid evidence.

assert

verb

Definition

State firmly and confidently.

critique

noun

Definition

A detailed evaluation pointing out strengths and flaws.

dogmatic

adjective

Definition

Asserting opinions as unquestionable truths.

irrefutable

adjective

Definition

Impossible to prove wrong.

implausible

adjective

Definition

Hard to believe; unlikely to be true.

denounce

verb

Definition

Publicly condemn as wrong.

surmise

verb

Definition

Guess from incomplete evidence.

dispute

verb

Definition

Argue against; question the truth of.

fabrication

noun

Definition

Something invented to deceive; a lie.

validate

verb

Definition

Confirm that something is accurate, sound, or worthwhile.

spurious

adjective

Definition

False or fake, though appearing plausible.

contentious

adjective

Definition

Causing heated disagreement.

discount

verb

Definition

Treat as unimportant or unreliable; dismiss.

undermine

verb

Definition

Weaken gradually, especially by indirect means.

speculative

adjective

Definition

Based on guesswork rather than firm evidence.

buttress

verb

Definition

Support or strengthen an argument or structure.

presuppose

verb

Definition

Assume something is true before it has been shown.

justify

verb

Definition

Show to be right, reasonable, or worthwhile.

impartial

adjective

Definition

Treating all sides fairly, without favoritism.

counterfactual

adjective

Definition

Describing what did not happen but could have.

warranted

adjective

Definition

Justified by the facts; having good grounds.

untenable

adjective

Definition

Impossible to defend against criticism or attack.

hypothesize

verb

Definition

Propose a possible explanation to be tested.

consensus

noun

Definition

General agreement among a group.

supposition

noun

Definition

A belief accepted without proof; an assumption.

corroborate

verb

Definition

Support a statement or finding with independent evidence.

credible

adjective

Definition

Able to be believed; convincing.

defy

verb

Definition

Openly resist; be impossible to explain by.

infer

verb

Definition

Conclude from evidence and reasoning rather than direct statement.

rationalize

verb

Definition

Invent reasonable-sounding excuses for questionable behavior.

refute

verb

Definition

Prove a claim or argument to be false.

postulate

verb

Definition

Suggest an idea as a basis for reasoning, without proof.

indisputable

adjective

Definition

Clearly true; impossible to question.