refutation Definition
refu·ta·tion (ref′yə tā′s̸hən)
noun
- the act of refuting, or proving false or wrong; disproof
- something that refutes, as an argument
Etymology: L refutatio < refutatus, pp.
refutation Synonyms
refutation Usage Examples
Preposition: of
- hypothesis: HOWEVER a failure to obtain statistically significant findings is a refutation of the hypothesis.
- theory: Kuhn pointed out that the history of science does not support Popper's view that science advances by the systematic refutation of theories.
- claim: First some refutation of claims that seem to be exaggerated.
- doctrine: Dante gives a refutation of the doctrine of the multiplicity of souls, ascribed to Plato by Thomas Aquinas.
- argument: Nor is there a hope of a quick refutation of the argument in terms of innocents.
- error: Let us take the next, more mature, work by Kautsky, which was also largely devoted to a refutation of opportunist errors.
Converse of object
- write: Finally, believe me, you are not obliged to write refutations of what I say.
- offer: Wittgenstein, in his appeal to ordinary language, is supposed to offer a refutation of skepticism.
- need: To me all that is such a disconnection from sense the asylum run by the lunatics as to need no refutation.
- require: The opinion of some that it means the wind, is too frigid to require refutation.
- give: Dante gives a refutation of the doctrine of the multiplicity of souls, ascribed to Plato by Thomas Aquinas.
- provide: Yet we will provide additional refutation of Zawadi's desperate distortions of biblical teaching as we move along.
Adjective modifier
- attempted: What is needed in science is to test the knowledge by attempted refutation.
- detailed: I have ample detailed refutations to the lie of trinity on my site.
- complete: Here are just a few points, not in any way an attempt at a complete refutation of the article.
- good: Perhaps a good refutation of that type of argument is provided by the British case.
- thorough: But the most thorough refutation of the claim that Muhammad is the Comforter is found in this chapter in a larger book.
- comprehensive: The only hurt they do not suffer is comprehensive refutation.
Noun used with modifier
- resolution: General purpose inference systems, such as Prolog's resolution refutation can be used to solve problems stated in logic.
- point-by-point: He has certainly not indulged in a careful reading or point-by-point refutation of Luther, or indeed of any classic Protestant writer on justification.

