disprove

verb
dis·​prove | \ (ˌ)dis-ˈprüv How to pronounce disprove (audio) \
disproved; disproving; disproves

Definition of disprove

transitive verb

: to prove to be false or wrong : refute disprove a theory

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Other Words from disprove

disprovable \ (ˌ)dis-​ˈprü-​və-​bəl How to pronounce disprovable (audio) \ adjective

Examples of disprove in a Sentence

Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe disproved any lingering notions that the earth is flat.

Recent Examples on the Web

Fichot and Perina were both accused of violence and were able to disprove the claims. Simon Denyer, Washington Post, "Parental child abduction becomes a diplomatic embarrassment for Japan ahead of G-7," 22 Aug. 2019 The company also declined to comment when asked about the numerous accredited studies published in the past that disprove a causal link between violent videogames and violent acts. Nick Romano, EW.com, "Walmart instructs stores to remove ads for violent videogames after shootings," 9 Aug. 2019 Editors tend to choose reviewers who have read the same body of literature, Sugimoto adds, and may be oblivious to valid work disproving their viewpoint. Sarah Wild, Quartz Africa, "How long-discredited “race science” research got published from two South African universities," 29 July 2019 Switzer completed the run in 4 hours 20 minutes, disproving claims that women were too frail to run long distances. The Economist, "For women, running is still an act of defiance," 28 June 2019 All the former sheriffs who responded to a reporter’s inquiries denied wrongdoing, often insulting their successor or providing a counternarrative aimed at disproving the claims. Connor Sheets, ProPublica, "Wasted Funds, Destroyed Property: How Sheriffs Undermined Their Successors After Losing Reelection," 12 June 2019 All the former sheriffs who responded to a reporter’s inquiries denied wrongdoing, often insulting their successor or providing a counternarrative aimed at disproving the claims. Connor Sheets | Csheets@al.com, al.com, "After losing reelection, these Alabama sheriffs took it out on their successors - and the public," 12 June 2019 Leonard and Raj bring their findings to Howard, who confirms that in 1978 a Russian scientist already disproved SA. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, "The Big Bang Theory Season 12, Episode 9 Recap: Amy and Sheldon's Project Falls Apart," 15 Nov. 2018 That document cited leaked friendly letters between the 2003 woman and Patterson in the months after the alleged rape, which Sharpe said disproved the idea that there was a rape and that Patterson mishandled it. Author: Michelle Boorstein, Sarah Pulliam Bailey, Anchorage Daily News, "How women led to the dramatic rise and fall of Southern Baptist leader Paige Patterson," 11 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disprove.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of disprove

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for disprove

Middle English, from Anglo-French desprover, from des- dis- + prover to prove

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More Definitions for disprove

disprove

verb

English Language Learners Definition of disprove

: to show that (something) is false or wrong

disprove

verb
dis·​prove | \ dis-ˈprüv How to pronounce disprove (audio) \
disproved; disproving

Kids Definition of disprove

: to show to be false or wrong Scientists disproved the theory.

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