controvert
[kon-truh-vurt, kon-truh-vurt]
- to argue against; dispute; deny; oppose.
- to argue about; debate; discuss.
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Origin of controvert
1600–10; alteration of earlier controverse (< Latin contrōversus; see controversy) with -vert from advert1, convert1, etc.
Synonyms
See more synonyms for controvert on Thesaurus.com1. refute, rebut.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for controvert
Historical Examples
That you know your duty, and will not offer to controvert his will?
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
Moreover, there are few now remaining who of their own memory could controvert or correct me.
In the ValleyHarold Frederic
He says it is purely speculative, but he does not controvert it.
StoryologyBenjamin Taylor
My short residence at Castlebar did not tend to controvert these impressions.
Maurice Tiernay Soldier of FortuneCharles James Lever
This different suggestion Jabe did not take the trouble to controvert.
The House in the WaterCharles G. D. Roberts
controvert
- to deny, refute, or oppose (some argument or opinion)
- to argue or wrangle about
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Word Origin
C17: from Latin contrōversus; see controversy
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
Word Origin and History for controvert
v.
c.1600, probably a back-formation from controversy. Related: Controverted; controverting; controvertible.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper