verb
-
to deny, refute, or oppose (some argument or opinion)
-
to argue or wrangle about
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of controvert
First recorded in 1600–10; alteration of earlier controverse (from Latin contrōversus; see controversy) with -vert as in advert 1, convert 1
Explanation
If you controvert something, you dispute it. If you argue for a new pony, your parents will controvert your argument by pointing out you said the same thing about the dog — the one they have to walk. The verb controvert can mean to prove to be false or untrue. If you are a historian, you know that new evidence often controverts commonly-held beliefs, so history is constantly being revised and updated. Many children grew up learning that Christopher Columbus landed first in America, but now we have evidence to controvert that idea and other explorers such as Leif Eriksson beat Columbus to America.
Vocabulary lists containing controvert
Against All Odds: Contra and Counter
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Jane Eyre
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The Time Machine
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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.
“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 • Jun. 16, 2020
No. Do they offer evidence to controvert Sheeran’s confession or acknowledge that they have read the book for themselves, especially the Epilogue from 2005 and the Conclusion from 2016 that offer corroboration of Sheeran’s confessions?
From Slate • Aug. 16, 2019
There may not be another major leaguer whose actions so controvert long-established norms.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2017
I was not able, for instance, to controvert some of the more specific arguments of Pat Buchanan.
From Salon • Jun. 5, 2013
"My pretensions to Louise are founded on ties far above your power to controvert or forbid!"
From The Mysterious Wanderer, Vol. I by Reeve, Sophia
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
