confute

[ kuhn-fyoot ]

verb (used with object)

, con·fut·ed, con·fut·ing.

1. to prove to be false, invalid, or defective; disprove:

   to confute an argument.

2. to prove (a person) to be wrong by argument or proof:

   to confute one's opponent.

3. Obsolete. to bring to naught; confound.

confute

/ ˌkɒnfjʊˈteɪʃən; kənˈfjuːt /

verb

1. to prove (a person or thing) wrong, invalid, or mistaken; disprove
2. obsolete.
   to put an end to

Derived Forms

• conˈfuter, noun
• conˈfutative, adjective
• conˈfutable, adjective
• confutation, noun

Other Words From

• con·futa·ble adjective
• con·futer noun
• uncon·futa·ble adjective
• uncon·futed adjective
• uncon·futing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of confute¹

1520–30; < Latin confūtāre to abash, silence, refute, equivalent to con- con- + -fūtāre; refute

Word History and Origins

Origin of confute¹

C16: from Latin confūtāre to check, silence

Example Sentences

In his foreword, he paraphrases Bacon in urging the public to read the book – “not to contradict and confute… but to weigh and consider”.

From The Guardian

In 1733 a pamphlet called The Budget Opened attacked Sir Robert Walpole's tax plans, saying that once revealed they turned out to be "what has been known, confuted and exploded long before".

From BBC

But science is taught, and science confutes the Hindoo cosmogony.

From Project Gutenberg

Well, I do compose then—so you are confuted!

From Project Gutenberg

No. The story of stones being thrown at him is destitute of all proof but the guard's own assertion, and is confuted by a hundred eye witnesses.

From Project Gutenberg