disprove
v.v. to show that something is not true or correct. You use this when you have evidence that contradicts a statement or a theory.
v. to demonstrate that a statement, theory, or belief is false or invalid. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the claim being refuted.
The new evidence helps to disprove the old theory.
Scientists conducted a series of experiments to disprove the hypothesis that the plant could survive without sunlight.
While the initial data suggested a correlation, subsequent peer-reviewed research was able to disprove the link between the two variables, leading to a complete revision of the original model.
From Middle English disproven, dispreven, from Old French desprover, from des- + prover, equivalent to dis- + prove.