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Definition of refute verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

refute

verb
 
/rɪˈfjuːt/
 
/rɪˈfjuːt/
(formal)
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they refute
 
/rɪˈfjuːt/
 
/rɪˈfjuːt/
he / she / it refutes
 
/rɪˈfjuːts/
 
/rɪˈfjuːts/
past simple refuted
 
/rɪˈfjuːtɪd/
 
/rɪˈfjuːtɪd/
past participle refuted
 
/rɪˈfjuːtɪd/
 
/rɪˈfjuːtɪd/
-ing form refuting
 
/rɪˈfjuːtɪŋ/
 
/rɪˈfjuːtɪŋ/
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  1. refute something to prove that something is wrong synonym rebut
    • to refute an argument/a theory, etc.
    Extra Examples
    • She tried to think how to refute the argument on moral grounds.
    • This study cannot provide data to confirm or refute this hypothesis.
    • We may find that further research refutes the findings of the first survey.
  2. refute something to say that something is not true or fair synonym deny
    • She refutes any suggestion that she behaved unprofessionally.
  3. Word Originmid 16th cent. : from Latin refutare ‘repel, rebut’.
See refute in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee refute in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
indeed
adverb
 
 
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