refute

Intermediatezipf 3.14

Pronunciation

/rɪˈfjuːt/(rih-FYOOT)

Part of speech

verbformal

Chinese

驳斥；反驳（用证据证明某事是错误的）

Definition

To prove that a statement, theory, or accusation is false or incorrect.

Word family

  • refutation/ˌrɛfjʊˈteɪʃən/(n)反驳
  • refutable/rɪˈfjuːtəbl/(adj)可反驳的
  • irrefutable/ˌɪrɪˈfjuːtəbl/(adj)无可辩驳的

Collocations

  • refute a claim
  • refute a theory
  • refute allegations
  • refute evidence

Examples

  1. 1.The professor refuted the theory with new experimental data. (disprove)
  2. 2.She firmly refuted the allegations against her. (deny with evidence)

Synonyms

  • disprove/ˌdɪsˈpruːv/— show to be false
  • rebut/rɪˈbʌt/— argue against with evidence
  • deny/dɪˈnaɪ/— say it's not true — weaker, no proof needed

Etymology

from Latin "refutare" = to drive back — drive back a false claim with proof