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# refute

verb (refute, refutes, refuted, refuting)

«refute» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To refute an idea or claim is to prove that it is wrong. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refute/#m1)
2. (formal) To refute can also mean to say firmly that something is not true, even without proof. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refute/#m2)

### In the lessons

In science, debate and news lessons it is about proving claims wrong with evidence. Phrases: refute a claim, refute the argument.

### Examples

- She refuted his claim with photos. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refute/#x1)
- The scientist refuted the old idea. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refute/#x2)
- Can you refute this argument? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refute/#x3)
- The evidence refuted the rumour. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refute/#x4)
- He refuted the story, saying it was false. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refute/#x5)
- Use evidence to refute a false claim. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refute/#x6)

### Note

Formal. «Refute» means prove wrong; «deny» just says it is not true. Past: refuted.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «refute» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refute/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«refute» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/refute.html) on Mova free.