difficult to refute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to refute" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an argument, claim, or statement that is hard to challenge or disprove. Example: "The evidence presented in the study was so compelling that it was difficult to refute the author's conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

These assertions are difficult to refute.

The New York Times

Viewed through an outsider's eyes, it's difficult to refute.

The Guardian - Tech

As it turns out, this argument is difficult to refute.

The New Yorker

On its face, this scenario seems difficult to refute.

The Guardian

He will not find it difficult to refute what the evidence confirms is obvious nonsense.

The Guardian - Opinion

Singer's argument is disarmingly simple and, if you accept its premises, difficult to refute.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

This prognosis is hard to refute.

The Economist

Their logic is hard to refute.

Harvard Business Review

But at this point the evidence is hard to refute.

The New Yorker

The facts are hard to refute.

Huffington Post

But it would also be hard to refute.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to refute", ensure the context provides clear evidence or reasoning supporting why the statement is challenging to disprove. This strengthens your argument and enhances credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to refute" when the statement is merely complex or nuanced, not genuinely resistant to disproof. Overstating its irrefutability weakens your argument if counter-evidence exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to refute" functions as an evaluative descriptor, highlighting the resilience of a statement or argument against attempts to disprove it. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in diverse contexts, indicating a claim that is hard to challenge due to strong evidence or reasoning.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to refute" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe claims or arguments that are challenging to disprove. As Ludwig AI confirms, it finds frequent application in news, scientific, and academic writing. It conveys the strength and validity of a claim, indicating that it is well-supported by evidence and reasoning. Related phrases include "hard to deny" and "challenging to disprove". When using this phrase, ensure that the context provides clear reasons why the statement is resistant to refutation, enhancing the credibility of your argument. Avoid overstating its irrefutability when counter-evidence exists.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to deny

Emphasizes the challenge of negating or rejecting something.

challenging to disprove

Highlights the difficulty in invalidating or proving something false.

tough to rebut

Focuses on the problem of countering an argument or claim.

not easily disproven

Indicates that something resists being invalidated or refuted.

resistant to challenge

Suggests something withstands attempts to contest or question it.

virtually unassailable

Emphasizes the near impossibility of attacking or disproving something.

impregnable to argument

Indicates something is shielded from being argued against.

unanswerable

Highlights the inability to provide a response or counter-argument.

irrefutable

Implies something cannot be disproven, representing a stronger claim.

uncontestable

Indicates something is beyond dispute or challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult to refute" in a sentence?

Use "difficult to refute" when describing a claim or argument that is challenging to disprove due to strong evidence or logical reasoning. For example, "The scientist presented data that was "difficult to refute"."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to refute"?

Alternatives include "hard to deny", "challenging to disprove", or "tough to rebut". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "difficult to refute" or "impossible to refute"?

"Difficult to refute" suggests a strong challenge to disproving something, while "impossible to refute" indicates it cannot be disproven at all. The choice depends on the strength of the evidence and the degree of certainty. Consider that most things can be refuted with some effort.

What makes an argument "difficult to refute"?

An argument might be "difficult to refute" due to overwhelming evidence, sound logic, expert consensus, or a combination of these factors. The strength of the supporting evidence is key.