disprove
/dɪsˈpruːv
/verb [with object]
Prove that (something) is false: he has given the Department of Transport two months to disprove the allegation...
- In that case, such a hypothesis would then have to withstand the rigors of both scientific method (empirically testing and proving or disproving the hypothesis) and peer review.
- It is understood that DNA and other tests carried out in the immediate aftermath of the killing are central to proving or disproving the main line of the inquiry being pursued by the 40-strong team.
- This isn't such a big problem for science or engineering types, as of course there are real-world criteria for proving or disproving a theory or criticising a methodology.
Synonyms
refute, prove false, show to be false, give the lie to, rebut, deny, falsify, debunk, negate, invalidate, contradict, confound, be at odds with, demolish, discredit;
challenge, call into question
informal shoot full of holes, shoot down (in flames), blow sky-high, blow out of the water
formal confute, gainsay
rare controvert, negative
Derivatives
disprovable
- Ann Coulter says something so dumb, so obviously disprovable, it's like she doesn't get that the rules have changed.
- All recognized and accepted scientific theories are disprovable.
- Charitably, I think it's fair to say that he's telling huge and easily disprovable fibs.
Origin
Late Middle English: from Old French desprover.