Debate Vocabulary

noun a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else

adjective directly opposed or contrasted; opposite

• The antithesis of good is not evil, but rather indifference.
• Her love for action movies is the antithesis of her sister's preference for romantic comedies.
• His style is the complete antithesis of what's trending right now.
• The calmness of the lake was the antithesis of the storm raging inside her.

noun a person who is apologetic or expresses regret

adjective showing or expressing regret or remorse for a wrongdoing

adjective suitable or appropriate in a particular situation

adverb in a manner that is suitable or appropriate

• The author used apposite examples to support her argument in the research paper.
• I think that was a very apposite comment you made during the meeting.
• Your response was totally on point and apposite.
• His choice of words was apposite, hitting the mark perfectly.

adjective describing a belief or attitude that does not involve a belief in a god or gods

• Many philosophers argue that an atheistic worldview is based on reason and evidence.
• My friend is atheistic and doesn't believe in any gods.
• Some people think atheistic folks are just being rebellious.
• In a world full of superstitions, his atheistic mindset stands out like a beacon of rationality.

noun A word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. In this case, 'point' is a noun that refers to a specific detail or fact being discussed.

preposition A word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence. In this case, 'in' is a preposition that indicates the relationship between 'case' and 'point'.

• In this case in point, we can see how the new regulations have affected the industry.
• So, in this case in point, it's clear that she was right all along.
• Dude, this case in point just proves that we should never underestimate her.
• The broken vase is a case in point of why we need to be more careful with fragile items.

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

• The defendant's lawyer had no choice but to concede to the overwhelming evidence presented by the prosecution.
• I finally had to concede defeat in our ongoing argument about politics.
• I ain't gonna concede to no one, I'll keep fighting till the end.
• Sometimes it's better to concede a point in order to maintain harmony in a relationship.

noun a claim made to rebut or oppose another claim in a legal or argumentative context

• The defendant filed a counterclaim against the plaintiff in response to the lawsuit.
• The other party made a counterclaim back at them.
• They hit back with a counterclaim of their own.
• In the game of legal battles, a counterclaim is like a strategic move on the chessboard.

noun a response or reply to a statement or argument

• The defendant's lawyer presented a strong counterstatement to the prosecution's argument.
• The other side made a good point in response to what was said.
• They clapped back with a solid counterstatement.
• Her words acted as a shield, deflecting any attacks with a well-crafted counterstatement.

verb to protect someone or something from harm or danger by taking action to prevent an attack or injury

• It is the duty of the lawyer to defend their client in court.
• I will always defend my friends when they need help.
• I got your back, I'll defend you no matter what.
• The strong walls of the castle defended the kingdom from enemy attacks.

noun the action or process of objecting to or hesitating over something

verb raise objections or show reluctance

• The lawyer advised his client to demur during the trial.
• She always demurs when asked to join in on group activities.
• I don't want to demur, but I really don't feel like going out tonight.
• Despite the pressure, he did not demur from his principles.

adjective tending to cause disagreement or hostility between people

• The issue of immigration policy is highly divisive among politicians.
• Talking about politics can be so divisive, let's change the subject.
• That movie was so divisive, people either loved it or hated it.
• The artist's new painting was divisive, sparking intense debate among art critics.

verb to encourage or stir up violent or unlawful behavior

• The speaker's inflammatory remarks were intended to incite violence among the crowd.
• Don't incite your brother by teasing him about his grades.
• I dare you to incite a fight at the party tonight.
• The artist's bold use of color incites a sense of passion in the viewer.

noun a debatable question or topic

adjective open to discussion or debate; arguable

• The debate over the new policy's effectiveness is now moot, as it has already been approved.
• Whether or not we should go to the beach this weekend is kind of a moot point since it's supposed to rain.
• I think arguing about who should pay for dinner is pretty moot, let's just split the bill.
• The idea of finding a solution to world hunger may seem moot, but every small effort can make a difference.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

• There is nothing of the kind in the official report.
• Don't worry, there's nothing of the kind happening here.
• Nah, man, there's nothing of the kind going on.
• His actions spoke volumes, showing nothing of the kind of person he claimed to be.

verb to act against or provide resistance to something

• The political party decided to oppose the new legislation.
• I really oppose the idea of going to that party.
• I totally oppose the new dress code at work.
• She felt like she had to oppose the current of negativity surrounding her.

verb to be against or in conflict with something

adjective in a position of being against something or someone

• The committee members were opposed to the new policy proposal.
• I'm opposed to going out tonight, I just want to stay in.
• She's totally opposed to that idea, it's not gonna happen.
• His mind was opposed to the idea, like oil and water.

verb to make a speech, especially in a formal manner

• The professor was invited to orate at the academic conference.
• She loves to orate about her favorite books to anyone who will listen.
• He can really orate like a boss when he's passionate about a topic.
• The politician used his charisma to orate his way into the hearts of the voters.

adjective causing division or disagreement, especially within a group of people

• The new policy proved to be polarizing among the members of the board.
• The debate about the issue was so polarizing that it caused tension among friends.
• The movie was so polarizing - people either loved it or hated it.
• Her bold fashion choices were polarizing, sparking both admiration and criticism.

noun a refutation or contradiction

adjective relating to or constituting a rebuttal

• The defense attorney presented a strong rebuttal to the prosecution's argument.
• She had a quick rebuttal ready when he tried to challenge her.
• He dropped the mic with his rebuttal to the haters.
• Her success was the ultimate rebuttal to all those who doubted her abilities.

noun a position or attitude taken in a dispute or conflict

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

• In this debate, I tend to side with the experts who have conducted thorough research.
• I always side with my best friend when we're arguing about movies.
• I usually side with the cool kids at school because they know all the latest trends.
• When it comes to choosing between two options, I always side with my gut instinct.

adjective having a shape or cross-section that is square or approximately square

adverb in a direct or straightforward manner; firmly or solidly

• The company's new policy squarely addresses the issue of workplace harassment.
• I told him squarely that I didn't appreciate his rude comments.
• She squared up to her bully and told them to back off.
• His actions squarely placed the blame on himself for the project's failure.

verb to be supported or held up by something

preposition used to indicate the place or position where someone or something is located

• The company's official stance is to always stand on the side of ethical business practices.
• I always stand on my tiptoes to see better at concerts.
• I can't believe she stood me up on our date last night.
• In times of adversity, it's important to stand on your principles and not waver.

noun a legal term referring to a response or reply made by a defendant to a plaintiff's rejoinder

• The lawyer presented a subjoinder to counter the opposing counsel's argument.
• The attorney fired back with a subjoinder to shut down the other lawyer.
• The legal eagle dropped a sick subjoinder to win the case.
• Her subjoinder was like a sharp sword cutting through the opponent's argument.

adjective describing the quality of being concise and direct

preposition indicating the direction or location of something

article a word that specifies a noun

• The presentation was concise and to the point, covering all the key aspects of the project.
• Just tell me what happened, get to the point!
• Don't beat around the bush, just get to the point.
• Her writing style is very direct and to the point, leaving no room for ambiguity.

adjective unable to be answered or solved

• The philosopher posed an unanswerable question about the nature of reality.
• I asked him an unanswerable riddle and he couldn't figure it out.
• That question is totally unanswerable, dude.
• Her silence was an unanswerable response to his accusations.

adjective not open to attack or assault; impregnable; not subject to denial or dispute; indisputable; unquestionable

• The evidence presented in the court was unassailable.
• Her argument was unassailable, no one could dispute it.
• His skills on the basketball court are unassailable.
• The fortress was built on an unassailable cliff, making it impossible to attack.

adjective not able to be challenged or disputed; indisputable

• His expertise in the field is unchallengeable.
• No one can argue with his knowledge on the subject.
• His skills are off the charts.
• Her position as the team leader is unchallengeable.

adjective an adjective that describes something that has not been disproved or refuted

• The evidence presented in the trial was unconfuted and irrefutable.
• No one could deny the unconfuted facts that were laid out in front of them.
• The unconfuted truth was so obvious, even a blind man could see it.
• Her unconfuted passion for the project was evident in every word she spoke.

adjective characterized by harsh or bitter criticism

• The critic's vitriolic review of the play was scathing and harsh.
• I can't believe how vitriolic she was towards him during the argument.
• Her vitriolic rant was totally uncalled for.
• The politician's vitriolic speech left a bitter taste in everyone's mouth.

noun A word that refers to a person, place, thing, or idea.

verb A word that expresses an action or a state of being.

preposition A word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence.

conjunction A word that connects words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence.

• The politician continued to stump for his policies during the debate.
• I heard he's going to stump for that new restaurant opening.
• She's always stumping for her favorite sports team.
• The evidence presented by the defense attorney stumped against the prosecution's case.

noun a colloquial term for mother or a woman who is a mother

• The mudda on the construction site had to be carefully managed to prevent accidents.
• I stepped in a big mudda puddle on my way to school.
• Let's go play in the mudda pit at the music festival!
• The political debate turned into a mudda-slinging contest between the candidates.

verb to present or explain the arguments or reasons for or against something in a clear and organized manner

• The lawyer set out the case for the defendant with a detailed analysis of the evidence.
• She really set out the case for why we should go to the beach instead of staying home.
• He totally set out the case for why we should ditch this party and go to the concert instead.
• The artist set out the case for using bold colors in her latest painting, and it really paid off in the end.

noun a person who is skilled in rhetoric or persuasive speaking

• The rhetor presented a compelling argument using persuasive language.
• The rhetor really knows how to talk people into things.
• That rhetor is a smooth talker, always convincing everyone of his point.
• The rhetor's words were like a powerful weapon, cutting through any doubts or objections.

noun a contrary or opposing argument or viewpoint

• The judge ruled a contrario, stating that the evidence presented did not support the defendant's claim.
• She always argues a contrario, just to play devil's advocate.
• I see things a contrario, but that's just my opinion.
• Looking at the situation a contrario, it's clear that there are hidden motives at play.

adjective describing a state of being pregnant in a positive or confirming manner

• The doctor confirmed that she was indeed affirmative pregnant after conducting several tests.
• She took a home pregnancy test and it came back affirmative pregnant.
• She's definitely knocked up, no doubt about it - she's affirmative pregnant.
• The project was in its early stages, but the team's enthusiasm was like being affirmative pregnant with possibilities.

noun There is no noun form for the word 'againster'.

verb There is no verb form for the word 'againster'.

adjective There is no adjective form for the word 'againster'.

adverb There is no adverb form for the word 'againster'.

pronoun There is no pronoun form for the word 'againster'.

preposition There is no preposition form for the word 'againster'.

conjunction There is no conjunction form for the word 'againster'.

interjection There is no interjection form for the word 'againster'.

article There is no article form for the word 'againster'.

• The lawyer argued againster the new legislation in court.
• I'm totally againster going to that party, it's going to be boring.
• She's always so againster everything, she needs to lighten up.
• His heart was againster the idea of leaving his hometown.