9th Grade Vocabulary Words: Meanings & Practice

state something confidently as true.

Example The speaker asserted that the plan would reduce waste, then explained her evidence.

limit or make a statement more specific.

Example He qualified his claim by saying the results applied only to the students surveyed.

show with reasons or evidence that a claim is false.

Example The dated receipt helped refute the claim that the shop was closed that day.

support a statement with additional evidence.

Example A second witness could corroborate the account of the event.

an idea or statement on which an argument is based.

Example The argument rests on the premise that every student can use the online materials.

a reasoned position that challenges another argument.

Example The essay considers the counterargument that the project would be too expensive.

seeming reasonable or possible, though not proven.

Example The broken latch was a plausible explanation for the open gate.

provide evidence that supports a statement.

Example The team used attendance records to substantiate its report.

open to more than one reasonable interpretation.

Example The note was ambiguous because it did not say which room to use.

a small but meaningful difference in meaning or expression.

Example Changing whispered to muttered adds a different nuance to the sentence.

suggested without being stated directly.

Example The invitation to bring a dish carried an implicit request to share food.

stated directly and clearly.

Example The teacher gave explicit instructions to label both axes of the graph.

an idea or feeling a word suggests beyond its basic meaning.

Example The word home can carry a connotation of comfort and belonging.

the use of language to influence or persuade an audience.

Example We studied the speech's rhetoric, including its repeated questions.

a meaningful contrast between what is expected or said and what actually happens or is meant.

Example There is irony in a fire station closing because its own fire alarm was not maintained.

place things next to each other to highlight a relationship or contrast.

Example The photographer chose to juxtapose the old bridge with the new tower.

judge something using reasons or criteria.

Example Evaluate the two plans using cost, safety, and travel time.

combine ideas or information into a connected understanding.

Example The conclusion synthesizes findings from the interviews and the survey.

based on evidence rather than personal preference.

Example The judges used the same criteria to make the scoring more objective.

influenced by personal feelings or viewpoints.

Example Choosing the most beautiful design is partly a subjective judgment.

existing as a basic part of something.

Example There is an inherent uncertainty in a prediction about next year.

not yet settled and open to change.

Example We made a tentative plan while waiting for the weather forecast.

examine very carefully.

Example Before publishing the chart, the editor scrutinized every label.

accept that a point is true, often after disagreement.

Example I concede that the longer route is safer, even though it takes more time.