refute

[ ri-fyoot ]

verb (used with object)

refuted, refuting.

1. to prove to be false or erroneous, as an opinion or charge.

   Synonyms: confute, rebut, disprove

2. to prove (a person) to be in error.

   Synonyms: confute

refute

/ rɪˈfjuː-; rɪˈfjuːt; ˈrɛfjʊtəbəl; ˌrɛfjʊtəˈbɪlɪtɪ; rɪˌfjuː- /

verb

1. tr to prove (a statement, theory, charge, etc) of (a person) to be false or incorrect; disprove
2. to deny (a claim, charge, allegation, etc)

Usage

The use of refute to mean deny is thought by many people to be incorrect

Derived Forms

• refutability, noun
• refutable, adjective
• ˈrefutably, adverb
• reˈfuter, noun

Other Word Forms

• re·fut·a·ble [ri-, fyoo, -t, uh, -b, uh, l, ref, -y, uh, -t, uh, -], adjective
• re·fut·er noun
• self-re·fut·ed adjective
• self-re·fut·ing adjective
• un·re·fut·ed adjective
• un·re·fut·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of refute¹

First recorded in 1505–15; from Latin refūtāre “to check, suppress, refute, rebut,” equivalent to re- re- + -fūtāre presumably, “to beat” (attested only with the prefixes con- and re-; confute )

Word History and Origins

Origin of refute¹

C16: from Latin refūtāre to rebut

Example Sentences

UN agencies strongly refute Israel's claim that there is enough food in Gaza to last for a long time and suggest the blockade could breach international humanitarian law.

From BBC

When Rickey and Glenn learn to let go of petty squabbles and stop using their physical distance as an excuse to refute their connection, “Sacramento” hits a lovely final note.

From Salon

DonkeyLand officials, however, refuted the claim that they told the county they were at capacity.

From Los Angeles Times

Stock prices swung up and down amid rumors that Trump could pause the tariffs for 90 days, but the White House refuted the claim on social media.

From Los Angeles Times

The man himself refutes that idea, preferring to describe himself as "blessed", but the evidence is clear.

From BBC

Related Words

• contradict
• counter
• disprove
• expose
• oppose
• quash
• rebut
• repudiate
• squelch