Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

refute

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of refute

1 to declare not to be true
  • While publicly refuting rumors of a merger, behind the scenes the CEO was working to effect that very outcome.
Synonyms of refute

contradict, deny, disaffirm, disallow, disavow, disclaim, disconfirm, disown, gainsay, negate, negative, reject, repudiate
Words Related to refute

traverse

challenge, confute, disprove, rebut

disagree (with), dispute
Near Antonyms of refute

accept, adopt, embrace, espouse

affirm, announce, assert, aver, claim, declare, maintain, profess, submit

authenticate, corroborate, substantiate, validate, verify
Antonyms of refute

acknowledge, admit, allow, avow, concede, confirm, own
2 to prove to be false
  • The victories of African-American athlete Jesse Owens in the 1936 Olympics effectively refuted the racial views of the Nazis.
Synonyms of refute

belie, confound, confute, debunk, disconfirm, discredit, disprove, falsify, rebut, shoot down
Words Related to refute

overthrow, overturn

challenge, contest, query, question

doubt, mistrust

debate, discuss, hash (over), moot, talk over
Phrases Synonymous with refute

give the lie to
Near Antonyms of refute

document, evidence, evince, record, show, support, witness

back (up), buttress, corroborate, substantiate

adduce, attest, authenticate, certify, identify

demonstrate, display, illustrate, manifest
Antonyms of refute

confirm, establish, prove, validate, verify

Learn More about refute

  1. See words that rhyme with refute Dictionary: Definition of 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).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games