refutation

/ˌrɛfjuˈteɪʃən/

Other forms: refutations

A refutation proves that something is false. Refutations pop up often in law debates and philosophical arguments.

While a validation tells you something is true, a refutation does the opposite: it says or proves that something is untrue, refuting the claim. In court, a witness might offer a refutation of a suspect's alibi to show he's lying. If someone calls you a liar, you probably should give them a refutation — make the case that you're a person who tells the truth.

Definitions of refutation

1. noun

   the act of determining that something is false
   synonyms: disproof, falsification, falsifying, refutal

   type of:

   determination, finding

   the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
2. noun

   the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions
   “his refutation of the charges was short and persuasive”

   synonyms: defence, defense

   types:

   confutation

   the speech act of refuting conclusively

   rebuttal

   the speech act of refuting by offering a contrary contention or argument

   type of:

   answer

   the speech act of replying to a question
3. noun

   any evidence that helps to establish the falsity of something
   synonyms: disproof, falsification

   types:

   reductio, reductio ad absurdum

   (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

   confutation

   evidence that refutes conclusively

   counterexample

   refutation by example

   type of:

   evidence, grounds

   your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief