disprove

verb

dis·​prove (ˌ)dis-ˈprüv 

disproved; disproven (ˌ)dis-ˈprü-vən  also disproved; disproving; disproves

transitive verb

: to prove to be false or wrong : refute

disprove a theory

Synonyms of disprove

• refute

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

There are no specifics in the bill about what kind of proof a person would need to disprove another person’s citizenship. —Meghan O’Brien, States Newsroom, 29 Jan. 2026

But a winter snow storm doesn’t disprove that the planet is, overall, warming. —Simmone Shah, Time, 26 Jan. 2026

Michigan State and Michigan are the only programs disproving that, as each is 11-3 in conference road games dating to last season. —Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026

And last year, an undergraduate student disproved a long-standing conjecture about the minimum amount of time needed to find a specific item in a hash table that’s almost full. —Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 16 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for disprove

• approve
• improve
• remove
• reprove
• disapprove
• groove
• move
• prove

Kids Definition

disprove

verb

dis·​prove (ˈ)dis-ˈprüv 

: to prove to be false