Synonyms for refuting
- contradict
- counter
- disprove
- expose
- oppose
- quash
- rebut
- repudiate
- squelch
- abnegate
- break
- burn
- cancel
- confute
- contend
- contravene
- convict
- crush
- debate
- demolish
- disclaim
- dispute
- evert
- explode
- gainsay
- invalidate
- negate
- overthrow
- parry
- silence
- top
- 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 for refuting
- agree
- aid
- allow
- approve
- assist
- concede
- help
- support
- concur
- endorse
- fix
- give in
- go along
- lose
- permit
- prove
- release
- surrender
- uphold
- yield
- ratify
- sanction
EXAMPLES FROM THE WEB FOR REFUTING
How can you think that I have any other motive in refuting you but what I should have in examining into myself?
It is particularly employed in refuting the errors of Aristoxenus.
Not satisfied with refuting, they sought to annihilate an opponent.
He made no phrase about refuting the theory—he simply refuted it.
But this is in fact eluding the observation rather than refuting it.
Do you think that, if there were any way of refuting the charges, I should be silent?
Now the first alternative is so ridiculous, that it is really not worth while refuting it.
Cardinal Bellarmine then appeared, refuting Barclay's ideas of kingship.
This I might say for the sake of refuting these most frivolous objectors.
So reasoned the Deists of the 18th century in refuting the Atheists.
WORD ORIGIN
1510s, "refuse, reject," from Middle French réfuter (16c.) and directly from Latin refutare "drive back; rebut, disprove; repress, repel, resist, oppose," from re- "back" (see re-) + -futare "to beat," probably from PIE root *bhau- "to strike down" (see bat (n.1)).
Meaning "prove wrong" dates from 1540s. Since c.1964 linguists have frowned on the subtle shift in meaning towards "to deny," as it is used in connection with allegation. Related: Refuted; refuting.