refute — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To prove (something) to be false or incorrect.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   debunkdisproverebutconfound

   Antonyms

   confirmaffirmdemonstrateprove

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   After we came out of the church, we stood talking for some time together of Bishop Berkeley's ingenious sophistry to prove the non-existence of matter, and that every thing in the universe is merely ideal. I observed, that though we are satisfied his doctrine is not true, it is impossible to refute it. I never shall forget the alacrity with which Johnson answered, striking his foot with mighty force against a large stone, till he rebounded from it, "I refute it thus."

2. To deny the truth or correctness of (something); to reject or disagree with an accusation.

   Usage

   • proscribed
   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   disputedenyrepudiaterebutgainsaycounterarguereject

   Antonyms

   affirmacceptembraceprofess

   Examples

   A spokesperson for VARS Technology said: “We completely refute the suggestion that our market-leading ANPR system is unreliable".

Verb

1. overthrow by argument, evidence, or proof

   Synonyms

   rebut

   Broader terms

   disownrenouncerepudiate

   Examples

   The speaker refuted his opponent's arguments

2. prove to be false or incorrect

   Synonyms

   rebutcontrovert

   Broader terms

   disproveconfute