disprove

[dis-proov]

See more synonyms for disprove on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), dis·proved, dis·prov·ing.

to prove (an assertion, claim, etc.) to be false or wrong; refute; invalidate: I disproved his claim.

Origin of disprove

1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French desprover, equivalent to des- dis-¹ + prover to prove

Related formsdis·prov·a·ble, adjectivedis·prov·er, nounun·dis·prov·a·ble, adjectiveun·dis·proved, adjective

Can be confuseddeny disapprove disprove rebut refute

Synonyms

See more synonyms for disprove on Thesaurus.com

discredit, contradict, negate, confute.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for disproved

Contemporary Examples

But a 2011 study of genetic evidence from 30 ethnic groups in India disproved this theory.
The Himalayas’ Hidden Aryans
Nina Strochlic
January 3, 2015
In the late 1980s it took off as the environmentally correct alternative fuel, but that's been disproved as well.
Ethanol Subsidies: Congress Sacrifices a Sacred Cow
Eleanor Clift
June 17, 2011
It should be noted that this new data is not from some fringe, low-quality study that might be disproved by future research.
The Never-Ending Workout
Susan B. Roberts
March 29, 2010

Historical Examples

At all events, this was a phenomenon which could not be disproved, and there were many who believed it true.
Murder Point
Coningsby Dawson
We have—you have disproved the love I was so presumptuous as to believe you fostered for me.
Bardelys the Magnificent
Rafael Sabatini
His statements, therefore, may easily be disproved, if they are untrue.
The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass
That has always been disclaimed on our side and could easily be disproved on yours.
Tristram of Blent
Anthony Hope
There is never a point of time at which you can say, 'The tradition is now disproved.'
Loss and Gain
John Henry Newman

British Dictionary definitions for disproved

disprove

verb

(tr) to show (an assertion, claim, etc) to be incorrect

Derived Formsdisprovable, adjectivedisproval, noun

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 disproved

disprove

v.

late 14c., from Old French desprover "refute, contradict," from des- (see dis-) + prover (see prove). Related: Disproved; disproving.

disprove

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}disprove

Synonyms

Examples from the Web for disproved

Contemporary Examples

But a 2011 study of genetic evidence from 30 ethnic groups in India disproved this theory.

In the late 1980s it took off as the environmentally correct alternative fuel, but that's been disproved as well.

It should be noted that this new data is not from some fringe, low-quality study that might be disproved by future research.

Historical Examples

At all events, this was a phenomenon which could not be disproved, and there were many who believed it true.

We have—you have disproved the love I was so presumptuous as to believe you fostered for me.

His statements, therefore, may easily be disproved, if they are untrue.

That has always been disclaimed on our side and could easily be disproved on yours.

There is never a point of time at which you can say, 'The tradition is now disproved.'

disprove

Word Origin and History for disproved

disprove

v.

Origin of disprove