refute

/rɪˈfjut/

/rɪˈfjut/

Other forms: refuted; refuting; refutes

The verb refute is to prove that something is wrong. When the kids you're babysitting swear they brushed their teeth, you can refute their claim by presenting the dry toothbrushes.

Evidence and arguments are used to refute something. So are facts. For example, if children who eat chocolate before going to bed go straight to sleep, that refutes the idea that sugar keeps them up. Refute comes from the Latin refutare for "to check, suppress." A near synonym is confute, but save refute as an everyday word for proving something is false.

Definitions of refute

1. verb

   overthrow by argument, evidence, or proof
   “The speaker refuted his opponent's arguments”

   synonyms: confound, rebut

   types:

   contradict, controvert, oppose

   be resistant to

   answer

   give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument)

   blackball, negative, veto

   vote against; refuse to endorse; refuse to assent

   dissent, protest, resist

   express opposition through action or words

   type of:

   disown, renounce, repudiate

   cast off
2. verb

   prove to be false or incorrect
   synonyms: controvert, rebut

   type of:

   confute, disprove

   prove to be false