confute

[kuhn-fyoot]

verb (used with object)

confuted, confuting 

1. to prove to be false, invalid, or defective; disprove.

   to confute an argument.

2. to prove (a person) to be wrong by argument or proof.

   to confute one's opponent.

3. Obsolete.,  to bring to naught; confound.

confute

/ ˌkɒnfjʊˈteɪʃən, kənˈfjuːt /

verb

1. to prove (a person or thing) wrong, invalid, or mistaken; disprove

2. obsolete,  to put an end to

Other Word Forms

• confutable adjective
• confuter noun
• unconfutable adjective
• unconfuted adjective
• unconfuting adjective
• confutative adjective
• confutation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of confute¹

1520–30; < Latin confūtāre to abash, silence, refute, equivalent to con- con- + -fūtāre; refute

Word History and Origins

Origin of confute¹

C16: from Latin confūtāre to check, silence

Example Sentences

In his foreword, he paraphrases Bacon in urging the public to read the book – “not to contradict and confute… but to weigh and consider”.

Read more on The Guardian

In 1733 a pamphlet called The Budget Opened attacked Sir Robert Walpole's tax plans, saying that once revealed they turned out to be "what has been known, confuted and exploded long before".

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But science is taught, and science confutes the Hindoo cosmogony.

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Well, I do compose then—so you are confuted!

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No. The story of stones being thrown at him is destitute of all proof but the guard's own assertion, and is confuted by a hundred eye witnesses.

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