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disproof

disproof

1 6.8
A fact or argument that shows an idea is not true
  • noun
  • /ˈdɪsˌpruːf/
: refutación
  • The best of a well-constructed defense lies in the identification and disproof of alternatives.
  • proof and disproof

Examples

  • The lawyer offered a compelling disproof of the charges against her client in court.

  • But here are several disproofs of evolution.

    Blog text (5)
  • When there is no scientific evidence for a claim that otherwise appears completely arbitrary, I consider that a "disproof."

    Blog text (15)
  • Feelings aside, pretty safe I suspect, but we all bow to data and I am vulnerable to disproof.

    Blog text (2)
  • No real scientist would say that his theories are immune to disproof.

    Blog text (4)
  • The defense of this repeated application, from a scientific perspective, is the need for replication and disproof.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Which is, I think, about as strong of a "disproof" as we can get before the word becomes functionally meaningless.

    Blog text (15)
  • Dante is enough of an empiricist to know not to make his beliefs susceptible to experimental disproof.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The scientist presented a clear disproof of the popular theory during the conference.

  • In mathematics, finding a disproof is essential to validate the correctness of a theorem.

Synonyms

rebuttal
vsdisproof
63 6.7

A statement that says another person's argument is wrong

is the general process or evidence of falsehood rather than a single opposing statement
refutation
vsdisproof
  • Formal
9 6.8

An argument or evidence that proves a claim wrong

is the wider act of showing wrongness rather than specifically argumentative proof
counterargument
vsdisproof
6 5.1

A reason that disagrees with another reason in a discussion

is the act or evidence of proving false rather than just arguing against it
repudiation
vsdisproof
  • Formal
4 8.2

Showing that an idea or claim is false by giving proof

is the neutral act of showing falsehood rather than a forceful public rejection
debunking
vsdisproof
3 5.6

Showing that a belief, story, or idea is not true

is the act or evidence of showing falsehood rather than public exposure or ridicule
falsification
vsdisproof
3 7.7

To show that an idea, belief, or result is wrong

is the general act of showing something false, not only a method
contradiction
vsdisproof
2 4.1

To say that another person's words are wrong

involves showing something false, not merely declaring it incorrect
counter-evidence
vsdisproof
1 6.9

Information that goes against a claim

is the overall act of showing falsehood rather than single supporting data
confutation
vsdisproof
  • Formal
1 9.9

Showing that an idea or statement is wrong by using facts and reasons

is the general act of showing falsehood, not limited to argumentative form
disconfirmation
vsdisproof
  • Specialized
1 8.0

Evidence that shows a belief or theory is wrong

is the broad act or evidence of showing something false rather than a named process
counterevidence
vsdisproof
1 8.6

Information that shows a claim may be wrong

denotes the whole process of showing something false rather than one piece of data
refutal
vsdisproof
1 8.8

An act of showing that an idea or claim is wrong

focuses on the act or evidence of falsehood rather than denial or rebuttal style

Antonyms

∞ 2.5

Evidence that shows something is true

171 2.0

Information that shows something is true

How Strong

disproof
1 6.8
rebuttal
63 6.7
challenge
  • Formal
146 3.5
objection
318 3.6

Surface Forms

disproof singular
disproofs plural

Morphology

disproof = disprove (semi-transparent) = dis + prove

The meaning is closely tied to 'disprove', but the noun is formed by the irregular alternation 'prove'/'proof' rather than by a standard suffix.

Etymology

Disproof comes from the prefix dis- meaning 'not', as in disagree, and the word proof meaning 'evidence'. So a disproof is evidence that shows an idea is not true.