Word
refutation
Phoneticsrefu·ta·tion
US/ˌɹɛfjuˈteɪʃən/
UK/ɹɪfjuːtˈeɪʃən/
Countable noun
Definition
n. proof that something someone said or believed is wrong. You use it when you show with facts or clear thinking that an idea does not work.
n. proof that a claim, argument, or belief is false, offered through evidence or reasoning. Typically presented as a direct response to a stated position in academic or legal debate.
Examples
“Her data provides a clear refutation of that claim.”
“The lawyer presented phone records as a refutation of the witness's timeline.”
“The study stands as a thorough refutation of the theory that smaller classes alone guarantee higher achievement, showing that teaching quality matters far more.”
Examples
simple
“Her data provides a clear refutation of that claim.”
contextual
“The lawyer presented phone records as a refutation of the witness's timeline.”
complex
“The study stands as a thorough refutation of the theory that smaller classes alone guarantee higher achievement, showing that teaching quality matters far more.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “refutation” in context.
Verb
01. constitute refutation
“These findings constitute a clear refutation of earlier results.”
verb + noun
02. issue refutation
“The ministry issued a swift refutation of the newspaper report.”
verb + noun
03. offer refutation
“He offered a calm refutation of his opponent's argument.”
verb + noun
04. publish refutation
“The journal agreed to publish a refutation from the criticized team.”
verb + noun
05. refutation fails
“His attempted refutation fails because it ignores key evidence.”
noun + verb
Adjective
06. complete refutation
“The experiment provided a complete refutation of the old theory.”
adj + noun
07. conclusive refutation
“The data offers a conclusive refutation of his hypothesis.”
adj + noun
08. detailed refutation
“The article contains a detailed refutation of the claim.”
adj + noun
09. constitute a conclusive refutation of
“The fossils constitute a conclusive refutation of that timeline.”
10. offer a systematic refutation of
“Her thesis offers a systematic refutation of traditional growth models.”
11. provide a complete refutation of
“The study provides a complete refutation of the alleged link.”
12. publish a detailed refutation
“The authors published a detailed refutation in response to critics.”
Usage
Commonly followed by 'of' to introduce the claim being disproved.
Real-World Examples
“Bardella’s refutation on Monday followed the publication of a report by the Mediapart outlet alleging that the politician sent anti-Semitic private messages a decade ago.” 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).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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