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.

Ed Yardeni, president and chief investment strategist of Yardeni Research, also expects that the April retail sales data will refute the ongoing “chorus of predictions of an imminent consumer retrenchment.”

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

Erickson was seeking to refute claims by the family of Grossman’s victims that he and Grossman were racing when she hit Mark and Jacob Iskander, ages 11 and 8.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

Ramaphosa tried to refute Trump's assertions and was backed up by John Steenhuisen, the white leader of the Democratic Alliance, which is part of the coalition government.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

Judges then cited these posts to refute the administration’s claims and rule against it.

From Slate • Feb. 18, 2026

Consequently the results of experiments cannot refute a theory.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

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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