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.

At the time, Homeland Security officials accused Longoria of driving toward agents and injuring them; surveillance video captured from across the street appeared to refute that.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

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

His lawyers refute this and argue he was denied due process.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 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

Even in outlandish cases, it’s often difficult to refute conclusively some proposed cure or procedure.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Vocabulary lists containing refute

The SAT: Language of the Test, List 3

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The ACT: The Language of the Test, List 2

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Grade 9, List 3

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