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.

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

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

From Slate • Feb. 18, 2026

“We keep on moving until you really can’t refute the evidence, and it becomes something that you have to confront,” they said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

It was the defense’s turn to refute the state’s charges.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

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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