| No. | Item | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | account for | give a reason for |
| 2. | adduce | cite as evidence |
| 3. | advance | put forward an argument |
| 4. | affirm | state positively as true |
| 5. | appeal to | use as supporting reason |
| 6. | argue for | give reasons supporting |
| 7. | assert | state confidently as true |
| 8. | assess | evaluate or judge |
| 9. | attest | give evidence for |
| 10. | aver | state firmly as true |
| 11. | back up | support with evidence |
| 12. | base | found on reasons or facts |
| 13. | bear out | confirm with evidence |
| 14. | bolster | support or strengthen |
| 15. | buttress | strengthen with support |
| 16. | cite | mention as support |
| 17. | clear | free from blame |
| 18. | cohere with | fit together logically |
| 19. | comport with | be consistent with |
| 20. | confirm | establish as true |
| 21. | construe | interpret in a particular way |
| 22. | contend | argue that something is true |
| 23. | contextualize | place in proper context |
| 24. | corroborate | support with evidence |
| 25. | count as | be considered as |
| 26. | declare | state clearly and formally |
| 27. | deem | regard as |
| 28. | defend | support against criticism |
| 29. | defensible | able to be justified |
| 30. | defuse | reduce blame or tension |
| 31. | demonstrate | show clearly with proof |
| 32. | detail | describe fully and clearly |
| 33. | elucidate | explain clearly |
| 34. | establish | show firmly to be true |
| 35. | evidence | serve as proof of |
| 36. | evince | show clearly |
| 37. | exculpate | free from alleged fault |
| 38. | exonerate | clear from blame or fault |
| 39. | explain | make the reasons clear |
| 40. | explicate | analyze and explain fully |
| 41. | expound | explain at length |
| 42. | extenuate | lessen the seriousness of |
| 43. | forgive | stop blaming for wrongdoing |
| 44. | found | establish on a basis |
| 45. | frame | present in a certain way |
| 46. | ground | base on good reasons |
| 47. | hold up | remain valid under scrutiny |
| 48. | hold water | seem reasonable and sound |
| 49. | illuminate | make clear or understandable |
| 50. | indicate | show or point out |
| 51. | interpret | explain the meaning of |
| 52. | invoke | appeal to as support |
| 53. | lay out | present step by step |
| 54. | legitimate | lawful or acceptable |
| 55. | legitimize | make lawful or acceptable |
| 56. | maintain | continue to assert |
| 57. | make a case for | argue in support of |
| 58. | merit | deserve or warrant |
| 59. | mitigate | make less severe |
| 60. | outline | give the main explanation |
| 61. | pardon | forgive an offense |
| 62. | pass as | be accepted as |
| 63. | permissible | allowed by rules |
| 64. | point to | indicate as evidence |
| 65. | portray | present in a certain light |
| 66. | profess | claim openly or publicly |
| 67. | proper | right or suitable |
| 68. | propound | put forward for acceptance |
| 69. | prove | show to be true |
| 70. | qualify | limit or soften a claim |
| 71. | rationalize | make seem reasonable |
| 72. | reaffirm | state again as true |
| 73. | reason out | work out by logic |
| 74. | reasonable | fair and sensible |
| 75. | regard | consider in a certain way |
| 76. | reinforce | make stronger with support |
| 77. | relate | tell or explain |
| 78. | report | give an account of |
| 79. | sanction | give formal approval to |
| 80. | see as | regard in a certain way |
| 81. | show cause | present a valid reason |
| 82. | square with | fit with facts or rules |
| 83. | stand as | remain accepted as |
| 84. | stand up | remain convincing or valid |
| 85. | submit | present for judgment |
| 86. | substantiate | back with evidence |
| 87. | support | give reasons in favor |
| 88. | sustain | support as valid |
| 89. | treat as | regard in practice as |
| 90. | understandable | easy to see reasons for |
| 91. | unpack | explain piece by piece |
| 92. | uphold | confirm as valid |
| 93. | validate | confirm as acceptable or sound |
| 94. | verify | prove true or accurate |
| 95. | view | consider or see as |
| 96. | vindicate | clear from blame |
| 97. | warrant | show to be reasonable |
| 98. | warranted | supported by good reasons |
| 99. | weigh | consider carefully |
| 100. | whitewash | cover up wrongdoing |
