refutation

[ ref-yoo-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. an act of refuting a statement, charge, etc.; disproof.

refutation

/ ˌrɛfjʊˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of refuting
2. something that refutes; disproof

Other Words From

• nonre·futal noun
• nonref·u·tation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of refutation¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin refūtātiōn-, stem of refūtātiō, from refūtāt(us) “checked, rebutted” (past participle of refūtāre “to check, suppress, refute, rebut”; refute ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

Being open to refutation is one of the most widely appreciated principles of science.

From Nautilus

The philosopher Karl Popper once said that science needs bold conjectures and attempted refutations.

From Nautilus

Douthat more or less treats the Oregon study as a de facto refutation of that entire, separate area of research.

From The Daily Beast

Which is not exactly a refutation or a denial so much as a talking point aimed at giving political partisans something to say.

From The Daily Beast

Charlus' physical bravery is Proust's refutation of an ancient antigay stereotype.

From The Daily Beast

The geologist David R. Montgomery set out to write a “straightforward refutation of creationism.”

From The Daily Beast

The metaphor that America is like a garden is not a gimmick, but powerful refutation of neoclassical economics.

From The Daily Beast

But this pleasantry, excellent as pleasantry, hardly deserves serious refutation.

From Project Gutenberg

And it may be asserted, without fear of refutation, that no federative government could exist without a similar provision.

From Project Gutenberg

Neither was the campaign of 1813 or 1814 any refutation of this.

From Project Gutenberg

The refutation of this error was reserved for the surgeon, Bass.

From Project Gutenberg

"Refutation and conclusion by the affirmative," said the chairman.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• rebuttal