Antonyms for refute
| Grammar : Verb |
| Spell : ri-fyoot |
| Phonetic Transcription : rɪˈfyut |
Definition of refute
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.
- verb prove false; discredit
- Unconsciously his whole practice began to refute his theories.
- Extract from : « Alice, or The Mysteries, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
- Traditions these which I mean not either to confirm with arguments of my own or to refute.
- Extract from : « Tacitus on Germany » by Tacitus
- And his sense of truth did not permit him to try to refute her accusation.
- Extract from : « A Spirit in Prison » by Robert Hichens
- I shall go back and refute that common scoffer, that caster of doubts.
- Extract from : « The Burning Spear » by John Galsworthy
- Neither did I tell you just now to refute me, said Dionysodorus; for how can I tell you to do that which is not?
- Extract from : « Euthydemus » by Plato
- But how can I refute you, if, as you say, to tell a falsehood is impossible?
- Extract from : « Euthydemus » by Plato
- And therefore he would have his friends examine and refute him, if they think that he is in error.
- Extract from : « Phaedo » by Plato
- Say rather, beloved Agathon, that you cannot refute the truth; for Socrates is easily refuted.
- Extract from : « Symposium » by Plato
- I cannot refute you, Socrates, said Agathon:—Let us assume that what you say is true.
- Extract from : « Symposium » by Plato
- And I hope that refute me you will, and not weary of doing good to a friend.
- Extract from : « Gorgias » by Plato
Synonyms for refute
- abnegate
- argue against
- blow sky high
- break
- burn
- burn down
- cancel
- cancel out
- confute
- contend
- contradict
- contravene
- convict
- counter
- crush
- debate
- demolish
- disclaim
- disconfirm
- dispose of
- disprove
- dispute
- evert
- explode
- expose
- gainsay
- give the lie to
- give thumbs down to
- invalidate
- negate
- oppose
- overthrow
- parry
- quash
- rebut
- reply to
- repudiate
- shoot down
- shoot full of holes
- show up
- silence
- squelch
- take a stand against
- tear down
- top
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019