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to abduce

to abduce

9.9
To give evidence that supports an idea or conclusion
  • verb
  • /æbˈdjuːs/
  • Formal
: aducir
  • The lawyer will abduce evidence to support her case.

Examples

  • Philosophers often abduce the best explanation for observed phenomena.

  • The researcher was able to abduce significant evidence linking the two phenomena.

  • He failed to abduce any convincing support for his theory.

  • The lawyer attempted to abduce several pieces of evidence in support of her argument.

  • Can you abduce any facts that support your argument?

  • During the debate, she tried to abduce various facts that favored her position.

  • Experts often abduce prior studies to validate their current findings.

Synonyms

to support
vsto abduce
572 2.1

Give facts or evidence that show a claim is true

advances evidence toward an inference rather than aiming to prove a claim
to cite
vsto abduce
421 3.6

To mention a source to support a statement

advances evidence towards an inference rather than only naming sources
to corroborate
vsto abduce
111 9.0

Use evidence to show that a statement or idea is true

advances evidence to back an inference rather than fully confirm it
to substantiate
vsto abduce
  • Formal
44 7.2

To show that something is true by giving proof or facts

advances evidence to support a conclusion, possibly less decisive
to bear out
vsto abduce
7 4.7

Show by facts that something is true

advances evidence to help an inference, not always offering authority
to adduce
vsto abduce
  • Formal
3 9.1

Give reasons or examples to support an idea

advances evidence to support a conclusion rather than fully prove it

How Convincing

to prove
∞ 3.1
to demonstrate
579 3.0
to conclude
428 3.1
to abduce
  • Formal
9.9
to infer
57 5.5
to indicate
834 2.7
to suggest
∞ 1.6

Surface Forms

abduce infinitive
abduced past
abduced past participle
abducing present participle
abduces third person singular

Morphology

abduce = ab + duce

Although composed of recognizable Latin elements (ab- + -duce), neither element is a productive standalone English base for most learners, so the meaning cannot be reliably derived from the parts.

Etymology

Abduce comes from Latin parts ab- 'away' and ducere 'to lead', the same root you see in conduct. So, to abduce is to 'lead' evidence toward a conclusion — to bring forward reasons that support an idea.