controvert

verb

con·​tro·​vert ˈkän-trə-ˌvərt How to pronounce controvert (audio)
ˌkän-trə-ˈvərt
controverted; controverting; controverts

transitive verb

: to dispute or oppose by reasoning
controvert a point in a discussion
controverter
ˈkän-trə-ˌvər-tər How to pronounce controvert (audio)
ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-
noun
controvertible
ˈkän-trə-ˌvər-tə-bəl How to pronounce controvert (audio)
ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-
adjective

Examples of controvert in a Sentence

The attorney offered evidence that controverted the plaintiff's allegations. ever since the poem was first published, critics and scholars have controverted over the meaning of its concluding lines
Recent Examples on the Web Even assuming this is true (and this description will be controverted at trial), a monopoly by itself does not violate the antitrust laws. Alden Abbott, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024 The appellate court noted that the woman’s testimony was controverted. Virginia Hammerle, Dallas News, 16 May 2023 During the upcoming weeks and through the appeal a slew of additional credible and controverting evidence will come to light. Ben Shpigel, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'controvert.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

controversy

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of controvert was in 1563

Dictionary Entries Near controvert

Cite this Entry

“Controvert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controvert. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

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