confute

[ kuhn-fyoot ]

verb (used with object)

, con·fut·ed, con·fut·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• conˈfuter, noun
• conˈfutative, adjective
• conˈfutable, adjective
• confutation, noun

Other Words From

• con·futa·ble adjective
• con·futer noun
• uncon·futa·ble adjective
• uncon·futed adjective
• uncon·futing adjective

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

He recites several passages from the Fathers on this subject, by which he pretends to confute the first reformers.

From Project Gutenberg

He enumerated the objections which had been made, and the industry with which he had endeavoured to confute them.

From Project Gutenberg

I had not relied upon time, or the suggestion of his cooler thoughts, to confute his charges.

From Project Gutenberg

Having enunciated this definition, as one learnt from another person not named, Sokrates proceeds to examine and confute it.

From Project Gutenberg

To confute intuitionists and get rid of intuitions was one main purpose of all Mill's speculations.

From Project Gutenberg