B2 · Upper-Intermediate

Rhetoric & Debate — B2 English Vocabulary

This B2 vocabulary list gathers 50 upper-intermediate English words about rhetoric & debate — persuasion, argument and eloquence. Every word comes with its British-English pronunciation and a natural example sentence, so you learn each one in real context. When you are ready, open the flashcards to practise and remember them for good.

  1. eloquent/ˈel.ə.kwənt/

    “She is an eloquent speaker.”

  2. persuasive/pəˈsweɪ.sɪv/

    “He made a persuasive case.”

  3. articulate/ɑːˈtɪk.jə.lət/

    “She is articulate and clear.”

  4. compelling/kəmˈpel.ɪŋ/

    “It was a compelling argument.”

  5. convincing/kənˈvɪn.sɪŋ/

    “Her reasons were convincing.”

  6. rhetoric/ˈret.ə.rɪk/

    “The speech was full of rhetoric.”

  7. emphasis/ˈem.fə.sɪs/

    “He placed emphasis on teamwork.”

  8. counterargument/ˈkaʊn.tər.ɑː.ɡjə.mənt/

    “She had a strong counterargument.”

  9. rebuttal/rɪˈbʌt.əl/

    “His rebuttal silenced the critics.”

  10. concede/kənˈsiːd/

    “He had to concede the point.”

  11. assert/əˈsɜːt/

    “She will assert her right to speak.”

  12. contend/kənˈtend/

    “Critics contend that the plan will fail.”

  13. proponent/prəˈpəʊ.nənt/

    “He is a proponent of free trade.”

  14. opponent/əˈpəʊ.nənt/

    “Her opponent had no reply.”

  15. dispute/dɪˈspjuːt/

    “Few would dispute her talent.”

  16. refutation/ˌref.juˈteɪ.ʃən/

    “His refutation was thorough.”

  17. fallacy/ˈfæl.ə.si/

    “That is a common fallacy.”

  18. objectivity/ˌɒb.dʒekˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/

    “A judge needs objectivity.”

  19. consensus/kənˈsen.səs/

    “The group reached a consensus.”

  20. concession/kənˈseʃ.ən/

    “Each side made a concession.”

  21. coherence/kəʊˈhɪə.rəns/

    “The essay lacks coherence.”

  22. sway/sweɪ/

    “Her speech can sway the crowd.”

  23. reasoning/ˈriː.zən.ɪŋ/

    “His reasoning was flawed.”

  24. rationale/ˌræʃ.əˈnɑːl/

    “Explain the rationale for your plan.”

  25. underline/ˌʌn.dəˈlaɪn/

    “These facts underline the risks.”

  26. exaggerate/ɪɡˈzædʒ.ə.reɪt/

    “Do not exaggerate the danger.”

  27. understate/ˌʌn.dəˈsteɪt/

    “He tends to understate his success.”

  28. elaborate/ɪˈlæb.ə.reɪt/

    “Could you elaborate on that idea?”

  29. reiterate/riˈɪt.ə.reɪt/

    “Let me reiterate the main point.”

  30. oratory/ˈɒr.ə.tər.i/

    “His oratory inspired the nation.”

  31. proposition/ˌprɒp.əˈzɪʃ.ən/

    “It is an interesting proposition.”

  32. rhetorical/rɪˈtɒr.ɪ.kəl/

    “It was a rhetorical question.”

  33. credibility/ˌkred.ɪˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/

    “The scandal hurt his credibility.”

  34. debater/dɪˈbeɪ.tə/

    “She is a skilled debater.”

  35. highlight/ˈhaɪ.laɪt/

    “These figures highlight the problem.”

  36. assertive/əˈsɜː.tɪv/

    “Be assertive but polite.”

  37. forceful/ˈfɔːs.fəl/

    “He gave a forceful reply.”

  38. manipulate/məˈnɪp.jə.leɪt/

    “Advertisers try to manipulate us.”

  39. justification/ˌdʒʌs.tɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

    “There is no justification for it.”

  40. standpoint/ˈstænd.pɔɪnt/

    “From my standpoint, it is unfair.”

  41. endorse/ɪnˈdɔːs/

    “Many experts endorse the idea.”

  42. oppose/əˈpəʊz/

    “Locals oppose the new road.”

  43. deliberate/dɪˈlɪb.ə.reɪt/

    “The jury will deliberate tonight.”

  44. contention/kənˈten.ʃən/

    “His main contention is sound.”

  45. plausible/ˈplɔː.zɪ.bəl/

    “It is a plausible excuse.”

  46. discredit/dɪsˈkred.ɪt/

    “They tried to discredit the witness.”

  47. moderate/ˈmɒd.ə.reɪt/

    “She will moderate the debate.”

  48. stance/stɑːns/

    “What is your stance on this?”

  49. irrefutable/ˌɪr.ɪˈfjuː.tə.bəl/

    “The proof was irrefutable.”

  50. subtle/ˈsʌt.əl/

    “He made a subtle distinction.”