reductio ad absurdum

Definitions of reductio ad absurdum
  1. noun
    (reduction to the absurd) a disproof by showing that the consequences of the proposition are absurd; or a proof of a proposition by showing that its negation leads to a contradiction
    synonyms: reductio
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    type of:
    disproof, falsification, refutation
    any evidence that helps to establish the falsity of something
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