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 Denial Generally considered the first stage, denial is an almost instinctive this-isn’t-happening response that desperately tries to refute the reality of the situation. Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024 Patel’s attorney, Alex King, previously refuted those allegations, saying Patel’s lifestyle was paid for legitimately. Zoe Sottile, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 Some, taking Glazer’s words out of their full context, blasted Glazer for refuting his Jewishness itself, as opposed to rejecting its usage as a justification for the ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza. Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 Seth Krantz, the company's veterinarian, refuted the government's allegations and vowed to fight the claims. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2024 Expect to see more outrageously powerful EVs in high-profile events as automakers establish their performance credentials and accumulate evidence to refute the technology’s detractors. Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 29 Feb. 2024 Rogers faulted Irvine police for not following up multiple leads to back up or refute evidence of planning the attack. City News Service, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024 Combs’ lawyer, Shawn Holley, shared a statement with Variety refuting Jones’ claims. Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 27 Feb. 2024 Debunking or refuting their assertions often requires offering nuanced or technical information that doesn’t have the same pizzazz. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'refute.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near refute

Cite this Entry

“Refute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refute. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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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