refute
/rɪˈfjuːt/ (bre, ipa) · /rɪˈfjuːt/ (ame, ipa) · /ri-ˈfyüt/ (ame, mw)
refute — 動詞
- refutepresent simple I / you / we / they
- refuteshe / she / it
- refutedpast simple
- refuting-ing form
1. to use facts, evidence, or careful reasoning to show that a statement, idea, or
反駁；駁斥
用證據或論證證明某說法錯誤
to use facts, evidence, or careful reasoning to show that a statement, idea, or accusation is not true or correct; in less formal use, to strongly disagree with and deny a claim.
Mei-Lin refuted the reviewer's claims by showing the raw data from her experiment.
Mei-Lin 展示實驗原始數據，反駁了審稿人的說法。
refute + abstract noun (claim) + evidence phrase
The lawyer refuted the prosecutor's main argument during cross-examination.
那位律師在交叉詰問時反駁了檢方的主要論點。
Dr. Okafor refuted the theory that the disease spreads only through direct contact.
Okafor 博士駁斥了那種認為該疾病只會透過直接接觸傳播的理論。
The accusation was never refuted, so many people assumed it was true.
這項指控從未被反駁，因此許多人認為它是真的。
Javier refuted the rumour by posting photographic evidence online.
Javier 把照片證據上傳到網路上，駁斥了那則謠言。
- disprove
closest synonym; emphasizes proving false through evidence rather than just arguing against it
- rebut
more common in formal debate and legal contexts; implies a formal, structured response
- deny
weaker than refute; means to state something is not true without necessarily offering proof
- contradict
focuses on asserting the opposite, often without the requirement of proof
- confirm
to show that something is definitely true, the opposite of proving it false
- substantiate
to provide evidence supporting a claim, the opposite of refuting it
文法句型
refute + [claim / theory / argument / allegation]
refute + that-clause
passive: be refuted by [evidence / study / person]
用法筆記
Some careful writers and editors believe 'refute' should only mean 'prove wrong with evidence,' not simply 'deny.' In everyday journalism and speech, however, it is common to see 'refute' used for both meanings. In academic writing, prefer the stronger sense — support the refutation with evidence.