refute
verb (used with object)
to prove to be false or erroneous, as an opinion or charge.
refuting
-
present participleof refute.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ms. Fritz’s task in refuting the rumors of a love affair isn’t easy, but she keeps at it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026
“You are … on notice, before release, that the insinuation is false, that the material refuting it is public, and that you chose not to be told the rest,” Spiro wrote.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
The conflict has functioned as an accelerated stress test, compressing years of operational learning into months and validating or refuting assumptions about real-world system performance.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 29, 2026
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakin said the accusation was "completely unbelievable and not even worth refuting".
From BBC ● Apr. 13, 2026
“No, of course I—” I was so committed to refuting him that I had half-denied the charge before I understood it; now my eyes swung back to his face.
From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles
