refute
[ ri-fyoot ]
/ rɪˈfyut /
verb (used with object), re·fut·ed, re·fut·ing.
to prove to be false or erroneous, as an opinion or charge.
to prove (a person) to be in error.
RELATED WORDS
problematic, speculative, vague, imaginary, theoretical, debatable, academic, suspect, contingent, casual, conditional, conjectural, disputable, doubtful, equivocal, indefinite, indeterminate, presumptive, putative, questionable
Nearby words
- refuse,
- refusenik,
- refusion,
- refutation,
- refutative,
- reg,
- reg.,
- reg. prof.,
- regain,
- regal
Origin of refute
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for refutable
It is certainly not the least charm of a theory, says Nietzsche, that it is refutable.
Philosophy and The Social Problem|Will DurantIf my belief ever had its origin in reason, it must be ever refutable by reason.
Edward Caldwell Moore|Edward Moore
refute
/ (rɪˈfjuːt) /
verb
(tr) to prove (a statement, theory, charge, etc) of (a person) to be false or incorrect; disprove
to deny (a claim, charge, allegation, etc)
Word Origin for refute
C16: from Latin refūtāre to rebut
usage
The use of refute to mean deny is thought by many people to be incorrect
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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refute
1510s, "refuse, reject," from Middle French réfuter (16c.) and directly from Latin refutare "drive back; rebut, disprove; repress, repel, resist, oppose," from re- "back" (see re-) + -futare "to beat," probably from PIE root *bhau- "to strike down" (see bat (n.1)).
Meaning "prove wrong" dates from 1540s. Since c.1964 linguists have frowned on the subtle shift in meaning towards "to deny," as it is used in connection with allegation. Related: Refuted; refuting.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper