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

Harrison’s refutation of Sanders proves useful here: He pointed to “child tax credits” and “25k for a down payment for a house” as evidence that the Harris campaign was making an immediate and direct economic appeal.

From Slate

If anything, the mainstream media’s clear and uniform refutation of Trump’s claim seemed to serve as evidence that it was actually true, and that, once again, the left was conspiring to conceal the truth and sabotage Trump’s campaign.

From Slate

It flowed immediately into another anti-Tester spot, a refutation of a previous ad that must have asserted that Tester was tough on China.

From Slate

His refutation of Trump should mean something.

From Salon

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

Related Words

• rebuttal