controvert
/ˈkɒntrəvəːt
/ /ˌkɒntrəˈvəːt /verb [with object]
1Deny the truth of (something): subsequent work from the same laboratory controverted these results...
- We have already seen some of the first struggle, between a text originating in the oral tradition and a later textually-based anthropological and historical tradition that controverts its authority.
- There is nothing here that controverts a finding which is the barest minimum finding to sustain the charge.
- The facts of his incarceration are not controverted.
1.1Argue about (something): the views in the article have been controverted...
- None of the propositions that I have placed before the Court thus far, with perhaps the exception of the relevance of the precontract correspondence, can be controverted.
- If the employer is to controvert that, there should be documentation of the problems.
- Is that not the key proposition which the parties seek to controvert?
Derivatives
controvertible
- It allows you to measure a problem, gives you facts that are less controvertible.
- The gap between the promulgation of abstract standards and the controvertible application of those standards to particular cases is a persistent theme in constitutional adjudication.
- And of course, ‘census-taking’ is not just controvertible, it's also litigable.
Origin
Mid 16th century: from Latin controversus (see controversy), on the pattern of pairs such as adversus (see adverse), advertere (see advert2).
Rhymes
- post-final
- post fine
- postfix
- postfixal
- postfixation
- postflight
- post-Fordism
- post-Fordist
- post-form
- post-formed
- postforming
- post-free
- post-Freudian
- postfrontal
- postgame
- postganglionic
- postganglionically
- post-gay
- postgenital
- post-genitive
- post-geniture
- postgenomic
- postglacial
- postglacially
- postglenoid