counterexample

noun

coun·​ter·​ex·​am·​ple ˈkau̇n-tər-ig-ˌzam-pəl How to pronounce counterexample (audio)
: an example that refutes or disproves a proposition or theory

Examples of counterexample in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But as soon as something is incorrect, the SAT solver can give counterexamples back — ideally, the smallest counterexample. Quanta Magazine, 10 Nov. 2025 One of the apparent counterexamples is easy to explain, the tearjerker. Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025 Generating summaries of complex writing has also been frequently mentioned as one of the best use cases for large language models (despite some prominent counterexamples). Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 19 Sep. 2025 History offers a counterexample worth remembering. Aron Solomon september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for counterexample

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterexample was in 1809

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Counterexample.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterexample. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!