refute

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   overthrow by argument, evidence, or proof

   The speaker refuted their opponent's arguments.

2. 2
   verb

   To prove (something) to be false or incorrect.

   After we came out of the church, we stood talking for some time together of Bishop Berkeley's ingenious sophistry to prove the non-existence of matter, and that every thing in the universe is merely ideal. I observed, that though we are satisfied his doctrine is not true, it is impossible to refute it. I never shall forget the alacrity with which Johnson answered, striking his foot with mighty force against a large stone, till he rebounded from it, "I refute it thus."

3. 3
   verb

   To deny the truth or correctness of (something); to reject or disagree with an accusation.

   A spokesperson for VARS Technology said: “We completely refute the suggestion that our market-leading ANPR system is unreliable".

4. 4
   verb

   prove to be false or incorrect

Etymology

From Latin refūtō (“refute, repudiate”).