Y08W42VC Theme Words — Science & future

In the process of coming into being or becoming prominent; newly developing.

Word family: emerge (v.), emergence (n.)

Example: Emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing are reshaping industries at an unprecedented rate.

Synonyms: developing, new, nascent

Collocations: emerging technology, emerging evidence, emerging field

Having the capacity or possibility of developing into something in the future.

Word family: potentially (adv.)

Example: The potential applications of genetic research extend far beyond medicine into agriculture and environmental science.

Synonyms: possible, prospective, future

Collocations: potential impact, realise potential, full potential

The introduction of new ideas, methods, or products; the act of creating something new or better.

Word family: innovate (v.), innovative (adj.)

Example: Scientific innovation requires not just creativity but also rigorous testing, peer review, and ethical scrutiny.

Synonyms: invention, discovery, breakthrough

Collocations: drive innovation, technological innovation, innovation in

To express doubt about something or to challenge the validity of an accepted idea.

Example: A strong critical reader questions the assumptions of any text, including those they agree with.

Synonyms: challenge, doubt, probe

Collocations: question assumptions, question the validity, question the argument

To dispute or push back against an accepted idea, authority, or norm.

Word family: challenger (n.)

Example: The research challenges longstanding assumptions about the relationship between technology and human creativity.

Synonyms: contest, dispute, confront

Collocations: challenge an assumption, challenge the norm, challenge authority

To question something deeply and rigorously; to examine critically by challenging its assumptions.

Word family: interrogation (n.)

Example: Critical scientists interrogate their own methods as rigorously as they interrogate their data.

Synonyms: question, probe, examine

Collocations: interrogate assumptions, interrogate a text, interrogate the data

To dispute or argue against something; to compete for something.

Word family: contested (adj.)

Example: The findings have been contested by several researchers who question the reliability of the methodology.

Synonyms: dispute, challenge, dispute

Collocations: contest a claim, hotly contested, contest the findings

To analyse and evaluate something carefully, identifying its assumptions and limitations.

Word family: critique (n.)

Example: The essay critiques the idea that technology is inherently neutral and without social consequences.

Synonyms: analyse, evaluate, question

Collocations: critique an assumption, critique the argument, critique the idea

A writing function phrase that signals the evidence or text is actively challenging an established assumption.

Example: The scientist’s refusal to publish without full peer review; this questions the assumption that speed matters more than rigour in public health emergencies.

Synonyms: this challenges, this contests, this interrogates

Collocations: this questions the idea, this questions the assumption, this therefore questions