counterexample

American  

[koun-ter-ig-zam-puhl, -zahm-] / ˈkaʊn tər ɪgˌzæm pəl, -ˌzɑm- /

noun

1. an example that refutes an assertion or claim.

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counterexample British  

/ ˈkaʊntərɪɡˌzɑːmpəl /

noun

1. an example or fact that is inconsistent with a hypothesis and may be used in argument against it

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Etymology

Origin of counterexample

First recorded in 1955–60; counter- + example

Example Sentences

A casualty of the upheavals of the French Revolution, Roland is a dramatic counterexample to the other figures in Ms. Stalnaker’s original and beautifully written book.

From The Wall Street Journal

Argentina offers a solid counterexample: Voters reward discipline.

From Barron's

Another compelling counterexample to the reorganisation argument is seen in a study of congenitally deaf cats, whose auditory cortex -- the area of the brain that processes sound -- appears to be repurposed to process vision.

From Science Daily

I use Denmark as a counterexample in my book, where in the early 20th century their social-democratic party came to power and governed Denmark for three generations.

From Salon

A counterexample that allows for nonabsoluteness of observed events is the “many worlds” interpretation of quantum mechanics.

From Scientific American