Vocabulary Blog One

Article: Why do Some People Believe in Conspiracy Theories?
By Thea Buckley

1. Cognitive: the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses

2. Intrinsically: In an essential or natural way

3. Ambiguity: the quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness

4. Crux: the decisive or most important point at issue

5. Bolster: support or strengthen; prop up

Article: Conspiracy Theories: Here's What Drives People to them, no Matter how Whacky they are

By William Cummings

7. Subvert: to undermine the power of an authority of (an established system or institution)

8. Outlandish: looking or sounding bizarre or unfamiliar

9. Ardent: enthusiastic or passionate

10. Pervasive: (especially of an unwelcome influence or physical effect) spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people

11. Illusory: based on an illusion; not real

12. Malevolent: having or showing a wish to do evil to others

13: Adherent: someone who supports a particular party, person or set of ideas

14. Enterprise: a project or undertaking, typically one that is difficult or requires effort

Article: America's Ten Most Popular Conspiracy Theories

 By Paul Rather 

15. Nefarious: (typically of an action or activity) wicked or criminal

16. Turmoil: a state of great disturbance, confusion or uncertainty

17. Globalist: a person who advocates for the interpretation or planning of econonmic events and devleopments throughout the world

18. Heuristic: enabling a person to discover or learn something for themselves.

19. Status quo: the existing state of affairs, especially regarding social or political issues.

20. Placate: make (someone) less angry or hostile

21. Echelon: a level or rank in an organization, a profession, or society.

22. Rubric: a heading on a document 

 Article: Conspiracy Theories
 Unknown 

23. Maritime: connected with the sea, especially in relation to seafaring commercial or military activity.

24. Civic: relating to a city or town, especially its administration; municipal

25. Redact: to censor or obscure (part of a text) for legal or security purposes

26. Memorandum: a written message, especially in business or diplomacy

27. Trajectory: the path followed by a projectile flying or an object moving under the action of given forces

28. Fanciful: (of a person or their thoughts and ideas) overimaginative and unrealistic

29. Leaflet: a printed sheet of paper, sometimes folded, containing information or advertising and usually distributed free

30: Trove: a store of valuable or delightful things