LSAT vocabulary list
The LSAT doesn't test vocabulary directly, but its Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension questions use precise words for arguments: premise, assumption, inference, sufficient and necessary conditions, and words that strengthen or weaken a claim. Misreading one of these terms can cost you a question, so this list focuses on the language of argument.
describing an argument that attacks the person making a claim rather than the claim itself
ambiguous adjectiveopen to more than one interpretation
analogy nouna comparison between two things based on their similarities, often used to explain or argue a point
anecdotal adjectivebased on personal accounts rather than facts or research
anomaly nounsomething unusual or unexpected
arbitrary adjectivebased on whim, not reason
ascertain verbfind out for certain
assumption nounsomething taken for granted
bias nouna preference or prejudice that prevents fair, objective judgment
causal adjectiverelating to cause and effect
censure noun / verbstrong, formal disapproval or criticism
cogent adjectiveclear, logical, and convincing in argument
concede verbto admit something is true
conditional adjectivedepending on a particular condition being met
contrapositive nounthe logically equivalent form of a conditional statement, made by reversing and negating both parts: "If A, then B" becomes "If not B, then not A
convoluted adjectiveextremely complex and difficult to follow
corollary nouna statement or result that follows naturally from one already proved or accepted
correlation nouna relationship in which two things tend to change together
corroborate verbto confirm or support
culpable adjectivedeserving blame
equivocate verbuse ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth
exculpate verbto clear someone from blame or guilt
extenuating adjectivemaking a wrongdoing seem less serious by partly excusing it
extrapolate verbto estimate or conclude something unknown by extending known information or trends
fallacy nounan error in reasoning that makes an argument invalid
implicit adjectivesuggested or understood without being stated directly
impute verbto attribute something, usually a fault or motive, to someone
inference nouna conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning
mitigate verbto make less severe
necessary adjectiverequired
preclude verbto prevent something from happening
premise nouna statement offered as a reason or evidence in support of a conclusion
presuppose verbto require something as a precondition
salient adjectivemost noticeable or important
scrutinize verbto examine closely and carefully
specious adjectiveseeming reasonable or correct on the surface but actually wrong
spurious adjectivefalse or fake
stipulate verbto demand or specify something as part of an agreement
substantiate verbto provide evidence that shows something is true
sufficient adjectiveenough
tenable adjectiveable to be defended against objection
tenuous adjectivevery weak or slight
undermine verbto weaken gradually
vindicate verbto clear someone of blame or suspicion