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incontrovertible

incontrovertible

11 8.2
Clearly true and impossible to doubt
  • adjective
  • /ˌɪnkənˈtrɒvərtɪbəl/
  • Formal
translation icon : incontrovertible
  • The evidence before the court is incontrovertible.
  • incontrovertible evidence
  • incontrovertible fact
  • incontrovertible proof

No, astronomers had found the first incontrovertible brown dwarf.

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Examples

  • We do have it, and it is clear and incontrovertible.

  • The evidence that the Dark Lord has returned is incontrovertible.

  • This is an incontrovertible fact, my dear, darling...

  • I have incontrovertible proof. -

  • Jack knew that was incontrovertible evidence that she, too, had gone home.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • The case seemed to me incontrovertible, but they were not convinced.

    Academic text (2000)
  • When confronted by so many incontrovertible facts, questions of how became academic.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Complex ideas of progress, development, and regional transformation may be presented as laws of nature, as incontrovertible facts.

    Academic text (1998)
  • This is just incontrovertible proof of Worryfree's evil practices.

  • The evidence in this case is incontrovertible and cannot be challenged.

Synonyms

undeniable
vsincontrovertible
56 4.2

So clear that people cannot doubt it

is more about clear obviousness than formal absolute proof
indisputable
vsincontrovertible
22 5.7

You cannot doubt it because it is clearly true

is the general absolute truth claim focusing on clear certainty
irrefutable
vsincontrovertible
22 7.8

Impossible to deny or prove wrong

is a broad claim of certainty rather than specifically about evidence
unassailable
vsincontrovertible
11 8.0

So strong that no one can attack, defeat, or prove it wrong

focuses more on being beyond questioning in argument than physical invulnerability
beyond a doubt
vsincontrovertible
7 3.0

Completely sure with no chance of being wrong

is the phrase for general complete truth used in many contexts
unquestionable
vsincontrovertible
7 4.1

Clearly true so no one can doubt it

applies to broad absolute truth rather than occasional strong likelihood
beyond doubt
vsincontrovertible
4 2.8

Completely certain with no possible reason to think it is wrong

serves as the general absolute certainty wording rather than specific evidence
inarguable
vsincontrovertible
2 6.7

Impossible to deny or argue with

is similar but used more widely for clear complete statements
incontestable
vsincontrovertible
  • Formal
2 7.5

People cannot doubt it because it is clearly true

is the broader phrase for complete certainty rather than narrow dispute focus
undoubted
vsincontrovertible
2 3.5

Completely certain and accepted by everyone

is the general absolute truth label rather than an observed fact
indubitable
vsincontrovertible
  • Formal
1 8.7

Completely certain and clearly true

leans to general absolute certainty rather than mere plausible truth
unarguable
vsincontrovertible
1 5.9

Impossible to disagree with because the facts are clear

focuses on ending debate rather than claiming logical necessity
unchallengeable
vsincontrovertible
1 7.2

So certain that no one can doubt it

is the general term for being beyond dispute rather than specific challenge types
undisputable
vsincontrovertible
1 4.7

Certain and impossible to doubt

emphasizes complete certainty as a wider claim of truth
incontestible
vsincontrovertible
  • UK
8.4

Impossible to argue against because the facts are clear

is used for general absolute truth, not only about challenges
irrefragable
vsincontrovertible
  • Archaic
9.9

Impossible to prove wrong

is the general assertion of complete truth beyond argument
irrebuttable
vsincontrovertible
  • Jargon
9.9

Impossible to prove wrong in court

is the wider claim of complete truth outside solely legal settings
undoubtable
vsincontrovertible
6.8

Certain and clearly true

expresses the same certainty but in a formal absolute sense
uncontestable
vsincontrovertible
6.6

Clearly true and impossible to doubt

is the broader absolute certainty claim rather than particular legal contest
apodeictic
vsincontrovertible
  • Formal
9.9

Certainly true and impossible to doubt

is the common claim of absolute truth rather than formal logical necessity
inexpugnable
vsincontrovertible
9.9

No one can beat or prove it wrong

is used for absolute truth claims rather than physical or strategic strength

Antonyms

2 6.6

Open to argument or doubt

How Certain

incontrovertible
  • Formal
11 8.2
credible
267 4.2
likely
1.0
uncertain
43 3.9
possible
1.0

Surface Forms

incontrovertible positive

Morphology

incontrovertible = controvertible (semi-transparent) = in + controvert + ible

For learners who know 'controvertible', adding negative 'in-' gives the straightforward opposite meaning.

Etymology

The word incontrovertible begins with in- meaning 'not' and includes contro- meaning 'turn against', the same idea in controversy, so something incontrovertible cannot be 'turned against' and cannot be argued or denied.