Definition of: refute

(ri·fyt′) v.t. ·fut·ed, ·fut·ing
1. To prove the incorrectness or falsity of (a statement).
2. To prove (a person) to be in error; confute. [<L refutare]
—re·fut′a·bil′i·ty noun
—re·fut′a·ble adjective
—re·fut′a·bly adverb
—re·fut′er noun Synonyms: confound, confute, disprove. To refute and to confute are to answer so as to admit of no reply. Refute applies either to arguments and opinions or to accusations; confute is not applied to accusations and charges, but to overwhelming arguments or opinions that confound; a person is confuted when his arguments are refuted.