refutation

Also re·fut·al

[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 Word Forms

• nonrefutal noun
• nonrefutation 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

Every single refutation of their conspiracy theory just proves that the conspiracy goes even further and deeper than they thought.

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Yet I spelled out the two-part criteria for defining cases, qualifying them as “extraordinary evidence” and opening myself to a decisive refutation.

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Certainly, some effort must be made to point out falsehoods and inconsistencies, but the same psychological evidence that shows how falsehood and inconsistency gain traction also tells us that retractions and refutations are seldom effective.

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Waltz's refutation gives a glimpse of what appears to be a larger Trump administration strategy around the leaks.

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In the face of Hegseth's refutation, Goldberg said that the messages he was sent included targets the military was "trying to kill in the next two hours."

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Related Words

• rebuttal