counterexample

American

[koun-ter-ig-zam-puhl, -zahm-] / ˈkaʊn tər ɪgˌzæm pəl, -ˌzɑm- /

noun

an example that refutes an assertion or claim.

counterexample British

/ ˈkaʊntərɪɡˌzɑːmpəl /

noun

an example or fact that is inconsistent with a hypothesis and may be used in argument against it

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of counterexample

First recorded in 1955–60; counter- + example

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Counterexample an example that proves that either a statement is false or an argument is invalid.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023