disprove

verb

dis·​prove (ˌ)dis-ˈprüv 

disproved; disproving; disproves

transitive verb

: to prove to be false or wrong : refute

disprove a theory

Synonyms

• belie
• confound
• confute
• debunk
• disconfirm
• discredit
• falsify
• rebut
• refute
• shoot down

Examples of disprove in a Sentence

Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe disproved any lingering notions that the earth is flat.

Recent Examples on the Web

It is easily disproved by the millions of success stories we are all surrounded by. —Bernard Kim, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024

According to Albarracin, misinformation merely states something inaccurate, while a conspiracy theory seeks to discredit information that could disprove the theory, and, therefore, becomes more difficult to correct. —USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024

Throughout the show's 296 episodes, a pair of special effects experts and their staff work to prove or disprove the common myths that haunt our everyday lives. —Briana Richert, James Mercadante, EW.com, 19 Feb. 2024

My research did not prove or disprove this to be true. —Craig Caudill, Field & Stream, 14 Feb. 2024

No single weather event can prove or disprove global warming. —Mathew Barlow, The Conversation, 17 Jan. 2024

The most moving thing about Santos’s lies is how many of them could be disproved in seconds. —Andrew O’Hagan, The New York Review of Books, 1 Feb. 2024

Maintaining accurate and organized data on all consumer interactions enhances your odds of disproving false claims. —Ariel Chen, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024

The report also claims to disprove a travel hack that there are days when airline tickets are cheaper than others. —Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French desprover, from des- dis- + prover to prove

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

disprove

verb

dis·​prove (ˈ)dis-ˈprüv 

: to prove to be false