refute

verb

re·​fute ri-ˈfyüt How to pronounce refute (audio)
refuted; refuting

transitive verb

1
: to prove wrong by argument or evidence : show to be false or erroneous
2
: to deny the truth or accuracy of
refuted the allegations
refutable adjective
refutably adverb
refuter noun

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 1945–461946
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.
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.
Bondi also said that although the names of several other high-profile figures were mentioned, the investigators did not find a client list or evidence refuting that Epstein died by suicide. Jade Walker, CNN Money, 24 July 2025 But Hunter was quick to refute this claim, arguing that at large events where the president is meeting several people, introductions are the norm. Shania Russell, EW.com, 21 July 2025 The story included statements from Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel refuting the premise, but not Bongino. Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2025 The Kessler and Berman letter refutes this interpretation, arguing the settlement does not preclude a collective from paying athletes for use of their NIL in the entrance fee situation and related contexts. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for refute

Word History

Etymology

Latin refutare to check, suppress, refute

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of refute was in 1545

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Refute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refute. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

refute

verb
re·​fute ri-ˈfyüt How to pronounce refute (audio)
refuted; refuting
: to prove wrong by argument or evidence : show to be false
refute the testimony of a witness
refutable adjective
refuter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on refute

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