disprove Hear it!

disprove Definition

dis·prove (dis pro̵̅o̅v′, dis′-; dis′pro̵̅o̅v′)

transitive verb -·proved′, -·proved′ or -·prov′·en, -·prov′·ing

to prove to be false or in error; refute; confute

Etymology: ME disproven < OFr desprover: see dis- & prove

disprove Related Forms

dis·prov′·able adjective

disprove Synonyms

disprove

v.

prove false, discredit, controvert, refute, confute, rebut, throw out, set aside, find unfounded, find fault in, point out the weakness of, invalidate, weaken, negate, overthrow, tear down, confound, expose, puncture, cut the ground from under*, blow up*, poke holes in*; see also deny, refute.

disprove implies the presenting of evidence or reasoned arguments that demonstrate an assertion or belief to be false or erroneous; refute implies a more thorough assembly of evidence and a more careful development of argument, hence suggests conclusiveness of proof; confute suggests the overwhelming or silencing of a person by argument, proof, or rhetorical force; controvert implies a disputing or denying of statements, arguments, etc. in an endeavor to refute them; rebut stresses formality in refuting an argument, such as is observed in debate, court procedure, etc.

disprove Usage Examples

Used with why or when

  • what: Yet how could Jeff disprove what he had seen.
  • when: The story was disproved when his coffin was opened in 1779, as his head was still attached to his body.

Object

  • hypothesis: The results can be used to prove or disprove the hypothesis.
  • allegation: This does not mean that you have not been believed, rather there is insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegation made.
  • Christianity: The way to disprove Christianity is to disprove the resurrection of Christ.
  • myth: But Steve, surely it's time to stop trying to disprove the myth.
  • theory: Putting the link up there was an attempt to prove or disprove that theory.

Subject

  • fact: Such suggestions are, in any case, disproved by the fact that the articles pre-dated Darwin's first ' species question ' notebook.
  • evidence: Mart argues that the entire Bible is disproved by geological evidence.
  • event: I am afraid that that has been wholly disproved by events.

Preposition: by

  • fact: Such suggestions are, in any case, disproved by the fact that the articles pre-dated Darwin's first ' species question ' notebook.
  • evidence: Mart argues that the entire Bible is disproved by geological evidence.
  • event: I am afraid that that has been wholly disproved by events.

Modifying Another Word

  • conclusively: The ostensible reason for war the existence of weapons of mass destruction has been conclusively disproved.
  • easily: The arguments that have been put forwarded in favor of ID Cards can be easily disproved.
  • thus: The theory was that Paul wouldn't be able to help reacting, thus disproving his claims.
  • n't: I have n't disproved the impossible with what I've achieved.
  • finally: What new philosophy or wisdom is there that has finally disproved this centuries old message?