refute
Syllabification: (re·fute)
Pronunciation: /riˈfyo͞ot/
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Definition of refute
verb
Derivatives
- adjective
- noun
Pronunciation: /-ˈfyo͞otl/
noun
Pronunciation: /ˌrefyo͝oˈtāSHən/
noun
Origin:
mid 16th century: from Latin refutare 'repel, rebut'
The core meaning of refute is ‘prove a statement or theory to be wrong,’ as in attempts to refute Einstein’s theory. In the second half of the 20th century, a more general sense developed, meaning simply ‘deny,’ as in I absolutely refute the charges made against me. Traditionalists object to this newer use as an unacceptable degradation of the language, but it is widely encountered.