counterexample
noun
coun·ter·ex·am·ple
ˈkau̇n-tər-ig-ˌzam-pəl 
: an example that refutes or disproves a proposition or theory
Examples of counterexample in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite the Mendelian assumption that genes and mutations often act independently in crafting traits, scientists soon observed several counterexamples.
—
C. Brandon Ogbunu, Quanta Magazine, 31 July 2023
The counterexamples did not hold up, suggesting that the conjecture might be correct after all.
—Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 16 Oct. 2023
The counterexamples tend to involve technologies that the government effectively built itself, like nuclear power development, which Congress regulated in 1946, one year after the first atomic bombs were detonated.
—Ian Prasad Philbrick, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2023
Some cops are corrupt, as many leaders have been, but Hermes is a diligent and dedicated counterexample.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 12 Aug. 2023
Mathematicians thought the rare counterexamples that remained possible after Kontorovich and Bourgain’s paper didn’t actually exist, mostly because the two or three most well-studied circle packings seemed to follow the local-global conjecture so well, Kontorovich said.
—Quanta Magazine, 10 Aug. 2023
This recent call from Latter-day Saint leaders could create a potential counterexample of a trend within American religion.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 July 2023
While discussing how male auteurs are treated in Hollywood, Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face) brought up a counterexample to the franchising of the male TV auteur: Larry David.
—Vulture, 6 June 2023
However, one strange counterexample is the contrast in lifespan among different sized dog breeds.
—Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 3 May 2023
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C. Brandon Ogbunu, Quanta Magazine, 31 July 2023
The counterexamples did not hold up, suggesting that the conjecture might be correct after all.
—Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 16 Oct. 2023
The counterexamples tend to involve technologies that the government effectively built itself, like nuclear power development, which Congress regulated in 1946, one year after the first atomic bombs were detonated.
—Ian Prasad Philbrick, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2023
Some cops are corrupt, as many leaders have been, but Hermes is a diligent and dedicated counterexample.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 12 Aug. 2023
Mathematicians thought the rare counterexamples that remained possible after Kontorovich and Bourgain’s paper didn’t actually exist, mostly because the two or three most well-studied circle packings seemed to follow the local-global conjecture so well, Kontorovich said.
—Quanta Magazine, 10 Aug. 2023
This recent call from Latter-day Saint leaders could create a potential counterexample of a trend within American religion.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 July 2023
While discussing how male auteurs are treated in Hollywood, Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face) brought up a counterexample to the franchising of the male TV auteur: Larry David.
—Vulture, 6 June 2023
However, one strange counterexample is the contrast in lifespan among different sized dog breeds.
—Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 3 May 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'counterexample.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1809, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near counterexample
Cite this Entry
“Counterexample.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterexample. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
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