confute

American  

[kuhn-fyoot] / kənˈfyut /

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.

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confute British  

/ ˌkɒnfjʊˈteɪʃən, kənˈfjuːt /

verb

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

2. obsolete to put an end to

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of confute

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

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”.

From 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".

From BBC

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

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

It was to confute this school that St. Bernard had taught in his sermons on the Canticles that union with God is not by confusion of natures, but conformity of will.

From Project Gutenberg