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Synonyms

controvert

American  
[kon-truh-vurt, kon-truh-vurt] / ˈkɒn trəˌvɜrt, ˌkɒn trəˈvɜrt /

verb (used with object)

  1. to argue against; dispute; deny; oppose.

    Synonyms:
    rebut, refute
  2. to argue about; debate; discuss.


controvert British  
/ ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːt, ˈkɒntrəˌvɜːt /

verb

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

  2. to argue or wrangle about

"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

Other Word Forms

  • controverter noun
  • controvertible adjective
  • controvertibly adverb
  • controvertist noun
  • uncontroverted adjective
  • uncontrovertedly adverb
  • uncontrovertible adjective
  • uncontrovertibly adverb

Etymology

Origin of controvert

First recorded in 1600–10; alteration of earlier controverse (from Latin contrōversus; controversy ) with -vert as in advert 1, convert 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Most of his life off the pitch controverts those synonymic comparisons.

From Washington Post

“Unless controverted, these affidavits seem to establish clearly the fact that Pouren was a revolutionist,” the president wrote.

From Washington Post

“I shall have to controvert one or two ideas that are almost universally accepted. We have all been taught that there is no difference between time and any of the three dimensions of space —”

From Nature

“We have already gathered information which controverts every single allegation made on the night in question,” Goins said.

From Washington Times

Development fees, which were subject to public scrutiny and controverts last year, have also been raised from $5,000 to $33,000 for ranch owners.

From Los Angeles Times