Definition of refute
refuted
;refuting
refuter
nounFrom the M-W Editors
Examples of refute in a Sentence
But for every study that shows acid rain is damaging frogs, another one refutes it. —Emily Yoffe, New York Times Magazine, 13 Dec. 1992
And it violates the basic tenet of historical method: that the historian be alert to the negative instances that would refute his thesis and to alternative explanations that would be more plausible than his own. —Gertrude Himmelfarb, The New History and the Old, 1987
It is not necessary to refute such an argument point by point … —Denis Goulet, Center Magazine, May 1969
We refute these aspersions whether they come from our best friends or our worst foes. —Sir Winston Churchill, address in House of Commons, 18 Jan. 1945, in Nathan Aus, ed., Voices of History 1945–46, 1946
The lawyer refuted the testimony of the witness.
He refutes the notion that he's planning to retire soon.
She refuted the allegations against her.
Origin and Etymology of refute
Latin refutare to check, suppress, refute
First Known Use: 1545
Other Logic Terms
REFUTE Defined for English Language Learners
refute
playDefinition of refute for English Language Learners
-
: to prove that (something) is not true
-
: to say that (something) is not true
REFUTE Defined for Kids
refute
playDefinition of refute for Students
refuted
;refuting
: to say or prove that something is wrong or untrue He refuted the accusation against him.
Learn More about refute
-
See words that rhyme with refute Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for refute Spanish Central: Translation of refute Nglish: Translation of refute for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of refute for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up refute? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!