refuted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refuted" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where someone is disproving or countering an argument or claim. Example: "The scientist refuted the previous theory with new evidence that contradicted its main assumptions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Karlen told the Australian: "The suggestion by the public broadcaster and others that this cartoon is acceptable must be refuted in the strongest terms and those responsible for its dissemination must be held responsible.

The Guardian

The managing director refuted suggestions SBS was moving away from covering football, saying "we are 100% committed to football" and only a "catastrophic" event would cause us to pull out of broadcasting the Fifa World Cup.

The Guardian

A similar claim in 2013 by the work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, was refuted by the UK Statistics Authority.

The Guardian

In a courtroom inside Cairo's Tora Prison on Thursday, defence lawyer Khaled Abu Bakr refuted each of the charges against Fahmy, asserting there was no evidence of any connection between him and with the Muslim Brotherhood, which was banned and declared a terrorist organisation after the military removed president Mohamed Morsi from power in 2013.

The Guardian

Miller refuted the allegations by defining the sweet bird of youth in an elaborate metaphor.

The Guardian

However, Morgan refuted claims the lack of current England players participating in the IPL is undermining the team's progress in international limited-overs cricket.

The Guardian - Sport

Reports of the said meeting and alleged discussions are a complete fabrication and have been refuted by the presidency.

The Guardian

"Mr Nkome also repeated the already refuted allegations that President Jacob Zuma has met the national police commissioner, Riah Phiyega, and discussed an alternative deployment for her.

The Guardian

"The creative team at Lime Pictures is very proud of TOWIE and the notion that it was not entirely their own work is a serious allegation which is completely refuted.

The Guardian

Tortuous theories, soon refuted, were devised to explain why the bronzes were actually Portuguese or Egyptian or Greek in origin.

The Economist

Medical experts have also refuted the claims, pointing out that the three types of cancer in question have never been linked to petroleum products in the past.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refuted" when you want to emphasize that an argument or claim has been successfully proven wrong through evidence or reasoning. Ensure that the evidence supporting the refutation is clear and credible.

Common error

Avoid using "refuted" loosely. It's important that the statement being refuted has actually been disproven with solid evidence, not just challenged or questioned. Ensure your writing provides the necessary context to show how the refutation was achieved.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "refuted" is as the past tense or past participle of the verb 'refute'. It is used to indicate that an argument, claim, or theory has been successfully proven false or incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "refuted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, particularly in formal contexts such as news, science, and business. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It signifies that a claim has been proven false through evidence or reasoning. When using "refuted", it's important to ensure there is clear evidence to support the disproof, and consider alternatives like "disproved" or "rebutted" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Being aware of its register and providing context for the refutation will enhance clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disproved

Indicates that something has been proven false, often with conclusive evidence.

rebutted

Suggests a direct counter-argument or response to a claim, showing it to be invalid.

invalidated

Implies that something has been made void or without legal force, often due to a flaw.

discredited

Indicates that something has lost credibility or reputation.

negated

Suggests that something has been nullified or made ineffective.

contradicted

Implies that two statements or ideas are in direct opposition, making one of them false.

overturned

Indicates that a previous decision or belief has been reversed or rejected.

debunked

Suggests exposing something as false or exaggerated.

exposed as false

Highlights the revelation of something being untrue or misleading.

proven wrong

A straightforward way of saying that something has been shown to be incorrect.

FAQs

How can I use "refuted" in a sentence?

Use "refuted" to indicate that a claim or argument has been proven false. For example, "The scientist "refuted" the previous theory with new evidence."

What's a more formal synonym for "refuted"?

A more formal synonym for "refuted" is "invalidated", which suggests something has been made void due to a flaw.

Is there a difference between "rebutted" and "refuted"?

While both "rebutted" and "refuted" involve opposing a claim, "refuted" implies a stronger sense of disproving something, whereas "rebutted" suggests a counter-argument has been made, but not necessarily proven.

Can "refuted" be used in everyday conversation?

Yes, "refuted" can be used in everyday conversation, but it's more common in formal or academic contexts. In casual settings, simpler terms like "disproved" or proven wrong may be more appropriate.