controvert

[ kon-truh-vurt, kon-truh-vurt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to argue against; dispute; deny; oppose.

   Synonyms: rebut, refute

2. to argue about; debate; discuss.

controvert

/ ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːt; ˈkɒntrəˌvɜːt /

verb

1. to deny, refute, or oppose (some argument or opinion)
2. to argue or wrangle about

Derived Forms

• ˌcontroˈvertible, adjective
• ˌcontroˈvertibly, adverb
• ˈcontroˌverter, noun

Other Words From

• contro·verter contro·vertist noun
• contro·verti·ble adjective
• contro·verti·bly adverb
• un·contro·verted adjective
• un·contro·verted·ly adverb
• uncon·tro·verti·ble adjective
• uncon·tro·verti·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of controvert¹

First recorded in 1600–10; alteration of earlier controverse (from Latin contrōversus; controversy ) with -vert as in advert ¹, convert ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of controvert¹

C17: from Latin contrōversus; see controversy

Example Sentences

Elections by states isolate the votes into smaller, distinct areas in which controverted votes and outcomes can be more readily contained, especially given that most states’ outcomes are more definitive than the national outcome.

From Washington Times

Most of his life off the pitch controverts those synonymic comparisons.

From Washington Post

“Unless controverted, these affidavits seem to establish clearly the fact that Pouren was a revolutionist,” the president wrote.

From Washington Post

“COVID leadership has not only not implemented it, they have directly controverted virtually every item,” she added on Twitter.

From Washington Post

“I shall have to controvert one or two ideas that are almost universally accepted. We have all been taught that there is no difference between time and any of the three dimensions of space —”

From Nature