disprove

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'disprove' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb that means to prove that something is not true or is incorrect. For example, one might 'disprove a hypothesis' by presenting evidence that goes against it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Alexei Navalny, Russia's most prominent opposition leader, said the only way to disprove the Kremlin's involvement was if the case was investigated properly and solved.

The Guardian

My grandfather used to say, 'Hard work never killed anyone.' Well, I suppose I've done my best to disprove his theory".

The Guardian

"Did they simply hope he was on to research that would disprove the consensus?

The Guardian

ND Chef Jeremiah Tower is working hard to disprove F Scott Fitzgerald's dictum that there are no second acts in American life.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Similarly, in April this year, on the eve of the opening of a fortnightly bus-service across the line of control, militants staged a vicious attack on the passengers in Srinagar.The militants may also want to disprove reports that the earthquake, having destroyed some of their training camps in Pakistani Kashmir, has severely dented their strength.

The Economist

Those benefits are usefully hard to disprove, though in 1948 the economic case was helped by the games' shoestring budget.

The Economist

An LMT ought to be able to find several thousand supernovae over the course of a year, and confirm or disprove this result beyond doubt.As well as spreading the word about the advantages of LMTs, Dr Borra is doing his best to overcome their inability to point.

The Economist

Shinzo Abe, Japan's prime minister, has sought to disprove that, espousing massive monetary easing to get prices rising.

The Economist

So, rather than trying to disprove such accusations, many firms settle out of court.The second category of cases is even more problematic.

The Economist

Investigators could not disprove his claim that he acted in self-defence when attacked by Michael Brown, a violent thief.

The Economist

And there is no better way to prove or disprove an idea than to actually try it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disprove", ensure you have concrete evidence or logical reasoning to support your claim. Avoid using it based on speculation or unsubstantiated opinions.

Common error

A common error is claiming to "disprove" something without providing adequate evidence or logical reasoning. Always back up your claims with verifiable information or sound arguments.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "disprove" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being proven false. Ludwig shows examples where "disprove" is used to show that a claim, theory, or notion is incorrect through evidence or reasoning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disprove" is a transitive verb that means to prove something is false or incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When using "disprove", it's important to back up claims with concrete evidence or logical reasoning, avoiding speculation. Similar words include "refute", "invalidate", and "rebut". Remember that while "disprove" implies a conclusive demonstration of falsehood, other related terms might suggest different degrees of opposition or argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prove false

A more direct and literal way of saying something has been shown to be incorrect.

refute

Implies a more direct and forceful contradiction, often through argument or evidence.

show to be untrue

Emphasizes the revealing of a lack of truth.

invalidate

Suggests making something void or without legal force, often used in formal or legal contexts.

rebut

Involves countering an argument with opposing evidence or statements.

negate

Means to nullify or make ineffective, often used in logical or mathematical contexts.

debunk

Specifically aims to expose something as false or exaggerated, often used in journalistic or investigative contexts.

expose as erroneous

Focuses on uncovering errors or mistakes in something.

contradict

States the direct opposition between two statements or ideas.

demonstrate the fallacy of

Highlights the logical error or misconception in an idea.

FAQs

How can I use "disprove" in a sentence?

You can use "disprove" to indicate that something has been proven false, as in "Scientists worked to "disprove" the earlier theory with new evidence".

What's the difference between "disprove" and "refute"?

"Disprove" means to prove something is false, while "refute" implies arguing against something effectively, but not necessarily proving it false.

What are some alternatives to using the word "disprove"?

Alternatives include "refute", "invalidate", "rebut", or "negate", depending on the specific context.

Is it always possible to "disprove" a hypothesis?

No, not all hypotheses can be definitively "disproven". Some hypotheses may lack testable predictions or be framed in a way that makes them difficult to empirically assess.