refute

What does “refute” mean?

verb.to prove (a statement or theory) to be wrong or false; to disprove.

SAT Usage

"refute" often appears in passages discussing debates, scientific theories, or historical arguments. It emphasizes the act of providing evidence or reasoning that convincingly undermines a claim, distinguishing it from merely "disproving," which might suggest a less rigorous challenge; "refuting" carries a connotation of thorough and effective counter-argumentation.

Common Confusions

Refute implies a thorough and effective counter-argumentation that disproves a claim, while contradict typically suggests a simple statement that opposes another without necessarily providing robust evidence.

Example Sentences

• She used data to refute every point in his argument.

• The evidence can refute the claim.

Word Parts: How to Remember “refute”

Break “refute” into its parts: re- (again, back). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: re- again, back (Latin)