Confute
verb
To prove someone or something wrong.
The scientist confuted the theory that the Earth is flat.

Usage tips
Formal
verb
To argue against a belief or statement.
He confuted his opponent's arguments during the debate.

Usage tips
Formal
verb
To prove someone or something wrong.
The scientist confuted the theory that the Earth is flat.

Usage tips
Formal
verb
To argue against a belief or statement.
He confuted his opponent's arguments during the debate.

Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 2

Intellectual Challenge
Use 'confute' to express a strong intellectual challenge to an idea or belief.

The professor attempted to confute the notion that humans will never colonize Mars.
Formal Contexts
Preferrably used in formal writing or discussions, not in casual conversations.

In her thesis, she confuted prevailing misconceptions about renewable energy.
Evidence Required
'Confute' implies that evidence or logical reasoning is provided to prove something wrong.

The data gathered from the experiment confuted the scientist's initial hypothesis.
Intellectual Challenge
Use 'confute' to express a strong intellectual challenge to an idea or belief.

The professor attempted to confute the notion that humans will never colonize Mars.
Formal Contexts
Preferrably used in formal writing or discussions, not in casual conversations.

In her thesis, she confuted prevailing misconceptions about renewable energy.
Evidence Required
'Confute' implies that evidence or logical reasoning is provided to prove something wrong.

The data gathered from the experiment confuted the scientist's initial hypothesis.
Intellectual Challenge
Use 'confute' to express a strong intellectual challenge to an idea or belief.

The professor attempted to confute the notion that humans will never colonize Mars.
Formal Contexts
Preferrably used in formal writing or discussions, not in casual conversations.

In her thesis, she confuted prevailing misconceptions about renewable energy.
Evidence Required
'Confute' implies that evidence or logical reasoning is provided to prove something wrong.

The data gathered from the experiment confuted the scientist's initial hypothesis.
Quote examples
Edward Everett Hale
American Clergyman
Wrong fails because it is wrong. The wrongs, the untruths, are inconsistent with each other. They clash against each other and confute each other. They neutralize each other and are lost.

Quote examples
Francis Bacon
English Philosopher
Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted... but to weigh and consider.

Quote examples
Edward Everett Hale
American Clergyman
Wrong fails because it is wrong. The wrongs, the untruths, are inconsistent with each other. They clash against each other and confute each other. They neutralize each other and are lost.

Quote examples
Francis Bacon
English Philosopher
Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted... but to weigh and consider.

Example 1 of 2
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