controvert

[ kon-truh-vurt, kon-truh-vurt ]

/ ˈkɒn trəˌvɜrt, ˌkɒn trəˈvɜrt /

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verb (used with object)

to argue against; dispute; deny; oppose.

to argue about; debate; discuss.

Nearby words

controller, controlling image, controlling interest, controversial, controversy, controvert, contumacious, contumacy, contumely, contuse, contused wound

Origin of controvert

1600–10; alteration of earlier controverse (< Latin contrōversus; see controversy) with -vert from advert¹, convert¹, etc.

SYNONYMS FOR controvert

1 refute, rebut.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR controvert ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

con·tro·vert·er, con·tro·vert·ist, nouncon·tro·vert·i·ble, adjectivecon·tro·vert·i·bly, adverbun·con·tro·vert·ed, adjective

un·con·tro·vert·ed·ly, adverbun·con·tro·vert·i·ble, adjectiveun·con·tro·vert·i·bly, adverb

Can be confused

contravene controvert

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for controvert

Again, it is easy enough to controvert Nietzsche almost at any pass by demonstrating his unphilosophic onesidedness.
Prophets of Dissent|Otto Heller
The man argued for Natural Philosophy for so long, that she was not prepared to controvert.
Miss Eden's Letters|Emily Eden
Such is the youth of genius, before the soul has given that sign of itself which an unbelieving generation cannot controvert.
Life Without and Life Within|Margaret Fuller
Dispute the rules, controvert the application, or give your hands to this salutary measure.
The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. II. (of 12)|Edmund Burke

It is impossible to controvert this truth, which surrounds us and presses us on all sides.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 2 (of 10)|Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)

British Dictionary definitions for controvert

controvert

/ (ˈkɒntrəˌvɜːt, ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːt) /

verb (tr)

to deny, refute, or oppose (some argument or opinion)

to argue or wrangle about

Derived Forms

controverter, nouncontrovertible, adjectivecontrovertibly, adverb

Word Origin for controvert

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