To argue against something or dispute whether it is true; to challenge someone's claim or opinion.
From Latin 'controversus' (turned against, disputed), combining 'contra-' (against) and 'versus' (turned). The word literally means 'to turn against' in argument.
When you controvert something, you're taking the Latin meaning literally—you're turning your argument against someone else's position, which is why lawyers and debaters use this word so often in formal disputes.
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