refute

[ri-fyoot] / rɪˈfyut /

VERB

prove false; discredit

Synonyms

STRONGEST

contradict counter disprove expose oppose quash rebut repudiate squelch

STRONG

abnegate break burn cancel confute contend contravene convict crush debate demolish disclaim dispute evert explode gainsay invalidate negate overthrow parry silence top

WEAK

argue against blow sky-high burn down cancel out disconfirm dispose of give the lie to give thumbs down to reply to shoot down shoot full of holes show up take a stand against tear down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agree aid allow approve assist concede help support

STRONG

concur endorse fix give in go along lose permit prove release surrender uphold yield

WEAK

ratify sanction

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Therefore, no affected person was in the courtroom to refute the therapist’s claim that, since she only deploys speech, her counseling is harmless and deserves First Amendment protection.

From Slate • Apr. 3, 2026

Pressed by a Democratic senator, Gabbard said that she did not have enough time to read the full testimony at the hearing but did not refute the assessment.

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

Evy is the show’s skeptic, able to use logic to refute every Creepypasta-lite story or folktale they come across on the show.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026

Mr. Loconte might also have spent more time addressing the group’s conflict with modernist writers: Lewis and Tolkien intended their projects to refute the efforts of poets such as T.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

White and his agents took the stand to refute the allegations.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

refute

Example Sentences

Related Words