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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 cite
vsto abduce
485 3.6

To mention a source to support a statement

advances evidence towards an inference rather than only naming sources
to support
vsto abduce
328 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 corroborate
vsto abduce
104 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
43 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
33 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
570 3.0
to conclude
381 3.1
to abduce
  • Formal
9.9
to infer
62 5.5
to indicate
786 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.