Definition
To prove a statement or theory to be wrong or false by presenting contrary evidence or argument.
Etymology
From Latin 'refutare' meaning 'to check, suppress, or repel,' possibly related to 'fundere' (to pour). The word entered English in the 16th century, maintaining its sense of pushing back against claims through logical argument rather than mere denial.
Kelly Says
Many people mistakenly use 'refute' to mean simply 'deny,' but true refutation requires evidence and proof. This distinction matters because refuting implies you've actually demonstrated falseness, not just disagreed—a crucial difference in academic and legal contexts.
Translations
AFAfrikaans
weerlê
vayr-LEE
AMአማርኛ
ማስተባበር
mas-te-ba-bar
BGБългарски
опровергам
o-pro-ver-GAM
BNবাংলা
খণ্ডন করা
khan-DON ko-ra
CACatalà
refutar
re-fu-TAR
CSČeština
vyvrátit
vi-VRAA-tit
DADansk
modbevise
mod-be-VEE-se
DEDeutsch
widerlegen
vee-der-LE-gen
ELΕλληνικά
ανατρέπω
a-na-TRE-po
ESEspañol
refutar
re-fu-TAR
ETEesti
ületama
y-le-TA-ma
EUEuskara
ezeztatu
e-zes-TA-tu
FAفارسی
رد کردن
rad kar-dan
FRFrançais
réfuter
re-fu-TE
GLGalego
refutar
re-fu-TAR
HEעברית
להפריך
le-haf-RIKH
HIहिन्दी
खंडन करना
khan-DAN kar-NA
HRHrvatski
pobiti
PO-bi-ti
IDBahasa Indonesia
membantah
mem-ban-TAH
ITItaliano
confutare
kon-fu-TA-re
LTLietuvių
paneigti
pa-nei-GI
LVLatviešu
atspēkot
at-SPE-kot
MNМонгол
эсэргүүцэх
e-ser-guuts-ekh
MSBahasa Melayu
membantah
mem-ban-TAH
MYမြန်မာ
ဆန့်ကျင်ပြော
hcan-kyin-pyaw
NLNederlands
weerleggen
WAYR-le-gen
NONorsk
motbevise
mot-be-VEE-se
PLPolski
obalać
o-BA-wach
PTPortuguês
refutar
re-fu-TAR
RORomână
infirma
in-fir-MA
RUРусский
опровергать
o-pro-ver-GAT'
SKSlovenčina
vyvrátiť
vi-VRAA-tit
SLSlovenščina
ovreči
o-VRE-chi
SRСрпски
оповргнути
o-povr-GNU-ti
SVSvenska
vederlägga
ve-der-LEG-ga
SWKiswahili
kukanusha
ku-ka-NU-sha
TAதமிழ்
மறுத்தல்
ma-rut-tal
TEతెలుగు
ఖండించు
khan-DIN-chu
TRTürkçe
çürütmek
chu-rut-MEK
UKУкраїнська
спростовувати
spro-sto-VU-va-ty
URاردو
رد کرنا
rad kar-NA
VITiếng Việt
bác bỏ
bac bo