refute

[ ri-fyoot ]

verb (used with object)

, re·fut·ed, re·fut·ing.

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 Words From

• 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

The mainstream media then tries to refute these claims using evidence, logic, and linear argument.

From Slate

They don’t bother to refute charges or engage their opponents’ best arguments.

From Salon

Sean Morales-Doyle, director of the Voting Rights Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, said it was important not to repeat Trump’s claims but refute them — because they are not grounded in fact, and they undermine the very system he is criticizing by driving down trust and participation among voters.

From Los Angeles Times

In a statement, a spokesperson for WEP Inc told BBC News NI the company “strongly deny and refute the assertions which have been made and we look forward to the facts in this matter being ventilated as part of our legal proceedings which have already commenced”.

From BBC

And it suggested to the public, on a timeline Clinton had little opportunity to refute, that she might have committed crimes, even though she wasn’t being charged with any.

From Slate

Related Words

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