Dictionary

refutation en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˌɹɛf.jʊˈteɪ.ʃən/ (Canada, General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
• /ˌɹɛf.jʉˈte.ʃən/ (Scotland)
• /ˌɹef.jʊˈtæɪ.ʃən/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
• (US) audio
• rĕf′yo͝o-tā′shən

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French refutation (compare French réfutation, Spanish refutación, Portuguese refutação, Italian refutazione) or its etymon Latin refūtātiō, from refūtō + -ātiō. By surface analysis, refute + -ation. First attested in 1536 (in sense 1).

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) An act of refuting or disproving; the disproving of an argument, opinion, testimony, doctrine or theory by argument or countervailing proof; evidence of falseness.
   • The conclusion to which we shall be led by a full consideration of these facts will be that the effective refutation of such errors will frequently require further intellectual advance, and often advance on points which are very abstract and may seem very remote from the practical issues. 1949, F. A. Hayek, “The Intellectuals and Socialism”, in University of Chicago Law Review, volume 16, number 3, Chicago: University of Chicago, →DOI, page 423:
   • Apply these tests to his arguments and you will render your task of refutation easier. But in your refutation, be sure you refute. Don’t think for a minute that either heat or violence or sarcasm is a good answer. 1913, William Horton Foster, “Refutation”, in Debating for Boys, page 78:
   • Near-synonyms: rebuttal (see note), counterargument, counterassertion, counterclaim, denial
2. (countable, proscribed, uncountable) A vocal answer to an attack on one's assertions.

Forms

Deriveds

self-refutation · refutationist · nonrefutation · refutational · refutationism

Relateds

repudiation · refudiate

Synonyms

counterargument · disconfirmation · disproof · gainsaying · counterassertion · refutal · confutation · contradiction · denial · rebuttal[refute · counterclaim

Translations (38)

ru опроверже́ние (an act of refuting) · el αναίρεση (an act of refuting) · sv motargument (an act of refuting) · cmn 辯駁 /辩驳 (an act of refuting) · fr réfutation (an act of refuting) · de Widerlegung (an act of refuting) · cmn 駁議 /驳议 (an act of refuting) · sv motbevis (an act of refuting) · ja 反駁 (an act of refuting) · sh pobijanje (an act of refuting) · de Gegenschrift (an act of refuting) · cmn 反駁 /反驳 (an act of refuting) · nl refutatie (an act of refuting) · ru рефута́ция (an act of refuting) · fy wjerlizzing (an act of refuting) · cs vyvrácení (an act of refuting) · el ανασκευή (an act of refuting) · it refutazione (an act of refuting) · it contestazione (an act of refuting) · la refūtātiō (an act of refuting) · fi vääräksi osoittaminen (an act of refuting) · fi kumoaminen (an act of refuting) · bg отхвърляне (an act of refuting) · nl weerlegging (an act of refuting) · es refutación (an act of refuting) · ga bréagnú (an act of refuting) · ko 반박 (an act of refuting) · bg опровергаване (an act of refuting) · tl pabulaan (an act of refuting) · da gendrivelse (an act of refuting) · hi खंडन (an act of refuting) · sv vederläggning (an act of refuting) · sh refutacija (an act of refuting) · it confutazione (an act of refuting) · da afkræftelse (an act of refuting) · sh opovrgavanje (an act of refuting) · pt refutação (an act of refuting) · grc ἔλεγχος (an act of refuting)