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View synonyms for confute

confute

[ kuhn-fyoot ]

verb (used with object)

, con·fut·ed, con·fut·ing.
  1. to prove to be false, invalid, or defective; disprove:

    to confute an argument.

  2. to prove (a person) to be wrong by argument or proof:

    to confute one's opponent.

  3. Obsolete. to bring to naught; confound.


confute

/ ˌkɒnfjʊˈteɪʃən; kənˈfjuːt /

verb

  1. to prove (a person or thing) wrong, invalid, or mistaken; disprove
  2. obsolete.
    to put an end to
“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
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Derived Forms

  • conˈfuter, noun
  • conˈfutative, adjective
  • conˈfutable, adjective
  • confutation, noun
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Other Words From

  • con·futa·ble adjective
  • con·futer noun
  • uncon·futa·ble adjective
  • uncon·futed adjective
  • uncon·futing adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of confute1

1520–30; < Latin confūtāre to abash, silence, refute, equivalent to con- con- + -fūtāre; refute
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Word History and Origins

Origin of confute1

C16: from Latin confūtāre to check, silence
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Example Sentences

In his foreword, he paraphrases Bacon in urging the public to read the book – “not to contradict and confute… but to weigh and consider”.

In 1733 a pamphlet called The Budget Opened attacked Sir Robert Walpole's tax plans, saying that once revealed they turned out to be "what has been known, confuted and exploded long before".

From BBC

But science is taught, and science confutes the Hindoo cosmogony.

Well, I do compose then—so you are confuted!

No. The story of stones being thrown at him is destitute of all proof but the guard's own assertion, and is confuted by a hundred eye witnesses.

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confutationCong