was refuted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was refuted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a claim, argument, or theory that has been proven to be false or invalid. Example: "The scientist's hypothesis was refuted by the latest research findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hereby that rumor was refuted.

The New Yorker

"Its version of peace was refuted".

The New Yorker

This was refuted by other scientists.

The Guardian

The report was refuted by Paterno's family.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Rivkin noted that none of the expert testimony the club had presented was refuted.

The New York Times

That was refuted almost a quarter-century ago by the conservative Heritage Foundation.

The New York Times

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

The Guardian

I seem to have fallen prey to the same mythology as a lot of the country after Katrina, because this notion was refuted long ago.

The New Yorker

The $1 billion potential savings from private screeners referred to was refuted in a report to T.S.A.'s committees of jurisdiction.

The New York Times

(Allison's view was refuted by subsequent studies that showed that Kennedy had decided in advance not to bomb or invade Cuba).

Encyclopedia Britannica

This in turn was refuted by Isaac Casaubon (1559 1614), who was outraged that Baronius had attempted to write ecclesiastical history without knowing either ancient Greek or Hebrew.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was refuted" to indicate that a claim, argument, or theory has been proven false through evidence or logical reasoning. Ensure that the context clearly shows what evidence led to the refutation.

Common error

Avoid using "was refuted" without providing the context or evidence that led to the refutation. Simply stating that something "was refuted" without explaining why can leave the reader confused or skeptical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was refuted" functions as a passive construction indicating that a previous statement, claim, or theory has been proven false or incorrect. Ludwig provides many examples where this phrase is used to describe the invalidation of hypotheses, reports, and rumors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

56%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was refuted" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something has been proven false or incorrect, as validated by Ludwig. It appears frequently in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, and is considered appropriate for formal and neutral registers. Alternatives include "was disproven" and "was debunked". When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context to explain the basis of the refutation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was disproven

This alternative directly indicates that something has been proven false, maintaining a similar level of formality.

was debunked

This suggests that something was exposed as false or exaggerated, adding a nuance of revealing a deception.

was invalidated

This alternative emphasizes the formal or logical flaw that makes something incorrect, suitable in technical contexts.

was overturned

Indicates that a previous decision, belief, or result was reversed or nullified, often in a legal or scientific context.

was contradicted

This highlights that something was shown to be inconsistent with other evidence or statements.

was negated

Suggests that something was made ineffective or nonexistent, implying a strong form of refutation.

was challenged

This indicates that something was questioned or disputed, implying a less definitive refutation.

was exposed as false

This alternative emphasizes the act of revealing something's falsity, making it clear that deception was involved.

was proven wrong

This is a more direct and informal way of saying something was shown to be incorrect.

did not hold up

This idiomatic phrase means something could not withstand scrutiny or testing, indicating a failure to be valid.

FAQs

How can I use "was refuted" in a sentence?

You can use "was refuted" to indicate that a claim or theory has been proven false by evidence or argument. For example, "The initial hypothesis "was refuted" by the experimental data."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "was refuted"?

Alternatives include "was disproven", "was debunked", or "was invalidated", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "was refuted" in formal writing?

Yes, "was refuted" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in academic or scientific contexts where disproving claims is a key part of the discourse. It clearly indicates that a previous statement has been shown to be incorrect.

What's the difference between "was refuted" and "was challenged"?

"Was refuted" implies that a claim has been definitively proven false, while "was challenged" simply means that a claim has been questioned or disputed but not necessarily disproven. A challenge is an invitation to investigate further while a refutation is a conclusion.