Synonyms of refute

refute

verb

ri-ˈfyüt 

1

as in to deny

to declare not to be true

while he was publicly refuting rumors of a merger, behind the scenes the CEO was working to effect that very outcome

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deny
• reject
• contradict
• disavow
• negate
• disclaim
• repudiate
• disown
• disallow
• gainsay
• disprove
• disconfirm
• disaffirm
• negative
• rebut
• traverse
• challenge
• dispute
• confute
• disagree (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confirm
• acknowledge
• admit
• allow
• accept
• concede
• own
• adopt
• claim
• submit
• maintain
• embrace
• assert
• affirm
• declare
• avow
• announce
• verify
• profess
• substantiate
• validate
• espouse
• corroborate
• aver
• authenticate

2

as in to discredit

to prove to be false

the victories of African-American athlete Jesse Owens in the 1936 Olympics effectively refuted the racial views of the Nazis

Synonyms & Similar Words

• discredit
• disprove
• overturn
• rebut
• discuss
• challenge
• falsify
• debunk
• confute
• question
• belie
• disconfirm
• confound
• shoot down
• debate
• doubt
• give the lie to
• overthrow
• contest
• talk over
• query
• moot
• mistrust
• hash (over)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prove
• establish
• confirm
• verify
• validate
• show
• support
• record
• witness
• document
• substantiate
• identify
• evidence
• corroborate
• demonstrate
• certify
• illustrate
• back (up)
• evince
• display
• buttress
• manifest
• adduce
• attest
• authenticate

Examples of refute in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ukraine’s Western allies in NATO refute the claim, saying ongoing military aid for Kyiv is to defend the country’s territorial sovereignty and independence. —Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2024

George Clooney is refuting a recent report claiming he and Brad Pitt were each paid a whopping sum to star in their new film Wolfs. —Nigel Smith, Peoplemag, 1 Sep. 2024

In a 2021 book, Chan had aired almost identical arguments that were largely refuted by experts in the field. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2024

Raygun directed those accusing her of manipulating the Olympic selection process to the Australian Olympic Committee, which has already refuted those claims publicly. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 15 Aug. 2024