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

The disciplinary committee further determined that Giuliani's conduct violated Rule 3.1 of Pennsylvania's Rules of Professional Conduct, which states that a lawyer "shall not bring or defend a proceeding, or assert or controvert an issue therein, unless there is a basis in law and fact for doing so that is not frivolous, which includes a good faith argument for an extension, modification or reversal of existing law."

From Salon

“I have a witness to the fact, whose testimony even you, sir, will scarcely controvert.”

From Literature

For example, Rule 3.1 states that a “lawyer shall not bring or defend a proceeding, or assert or controvert an issue therein, unless there is a basis in law and fact for doing so that is not frivolous.”

From Slate

“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

No. Do they offer evidence to controvert Sheeran’s confession or acknowledge that they have read the book for themselves, especially the Epilogue from 2005 and the Conclusion from 2016 that offer corroboration of Sheeran’s confessions?

From Slate