refute

[ri-fyoot]

verb (used with object)

refuted, refuting 

1. to prove to be false or erroneous, as an opinion or charge.

   Synonyms: confute, rebut, disprove

2. to prove (a person) to be in error.

   Synonyms: confute

refute

/ rɪˈfjuː-, rɪˈfjuːt, ˈrɛfjʊtəbəl, ˌrɛfjʊtəˈbɪlɪtɪ, rɪˌfjuː- /

verb

1. (tr) to prove (a statement, theory, charge, etc) of (a person) to be false or incorrect; disprove

2. to deny (a claim, charge, allegation, etc)

Usage

The use of refute to mean deny is thought by many people to be incorrect

Other Word Forms

• refutable adjective
• refuter noun
• self-refuted adjective
• self-refuting adjective
• unrefuted adjective
• unrefuting adjective
• refutability noun
• refutably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of refute¹

First recorded in 1505–15; from Latin refūtāre “to check, suppress, refute, rebut,” equivalent to re- re- + -fūtāre presumably, “to beat” (attested only with the prefixes con- and re-; confute )

Word History and Origins

Origin of refute¹

C16: from Latin refūtāre to rebut

Example Sentences

“I don’t like using a book to refute things or to say anything disparaging about another person,” she clarifies.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He requested that the complaint "be accompanied by reports issued by the United Nations refuting the Israeli denial of the wall's construction".

Read more on Barron's

Officials have refuted Duffy’s claims and said the state has complied with federal laws and regulations.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Kihara said that Japan's envoy "once again explained to the Chinese side the intent of Prime Minister Takaichi's response and our government's position, and refuted the remarks."

Read more on Barron's

There is a quote from an Italian software engineer named Alberto Brandolini: “The amount of energy necessary to refute bull— is an order of magnitude bigger than to produce it.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• contradict 
• counter 
• disprove 
• expose 
• oppose 
• quash 
• rebut 
• repudiate 
• squelch