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

But as more data was collected and analyzed in more sophisticated ways, scientists increasingly found refutations of Red Queen theory.

From Science Daily

Circuit Judge Sandra Ikuta said the law is written neutrally and said Judge Du was wrong to insist there must be an affirmative refutation of past racism for a law to survive scrutiny.

From Washington Times

His effort didn’t work very well this time around, mostly because the CBO was ready with a nearly instant refutation of his claim.

From Los Angeles Times

As Intiman continues to rebuild, its chosen component parts can be seen as a direct refutation of the doom-and-gloom articles of the last year bemoaning the death of American theater as we know it.

From Seattle Times

Instead, the group released a new policy statement in 2021 using the term “hyperactive delirium,” saying the guidance was not meant as an update or refutation of the paper.

From Scientific American

Related Words

• rebuttal