controvert
Argue against claims
To controvert is to dispute or argue against something: The defense attorney controverted every claim made by the prosecution.
The word appears most often in its negative form—an incontrovertible fact is one that cannot be disputed.
Controvert itself sounds formal and slightly old-fashioned, more at home in legal briefs than casual speech.
Verbally oppose another's view
- opposeAct against something
- challengeTest of ability
- contestOrganized competitive event
- questionRequest for information
rebut · refute · deny · counter · gainsay · impugn · dissent · object
Prove something untrue
- rebutDisprove by argument
- debunkExpose as false
- invalidateMake null or void
- discreditHarm another's reputation
negate · falsify · undermine · overturn · expose · demolish · puncture · belie
Lack of steady pattern
- discrepancyDifference between expected and actual
- paradoxSeemingly absurd truth
- antithesisDirect opposite; contrasting juxtaposition
- conflictOpposition between parties
incongruity · negation · opposition · clash · counterpoint · contravention · incompatibility · variance
Reasoned case or dispute
- discussionExchange of ideas
- deliberationCareful weighing of choices
- dialecticLogical argument through opposition
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
rhetoric · disputation · forensics · cross-examination · rebuttal · counterargument · proposition · reasoning
argue
Verbally oppose another's view
question · rebut · refute · deny · counter · gainsay · impugn · dissent · object · protest
refute
Prove something untrue
- rebutDisprove by argument
- debunkExpose as false
- invalidateMake null or void
discredit · negate · falsify · undermine · overturn · expose · demolish · puncture · belie · confute
inconsistency
Lack of steady pattern
- discrepancyDifference between expected and actual
- paradoxSeemingly absurd truth
- antithesisDirect opposite; contrasting juxtaposition
conflict · incongruity · negation · opposition · clash · counterpoint · contravention · incompatibility · variance · disagreement
argument
Reasoned case or dispute
- discussionExchange of ideas
- deliberationCareful weighing of choices
- dialecticLogical argument through opposition
dialogue · rhetoric · disputation · forensics · cross-examination · rebuttal · counterargument · proposition · reasoning · persuasion
- disagreementsdisagree, argue, dispute, quarrel, argument
- question or challengedoubt, question, challenge, dispute, contest
- refutationdisproof, disproving, refutation, rebuttal, counterargument
controvertaffirm
Declare to be true
assert · confirm · corroborate · substantiate · verify
- controversial figurePerson provoking strong disagreement
- controversial topicsSubjects provoking strong disagreement
- controversial artWorks provoking public disagreement
- controversial subjectsTopics provoking strong disagreement
- controversial issueSubject provoking strong disagreement
- political controversyDisputed matter in governance
controversy, controversial, uncontroversial, controversially, controverted, controverting, controvertible, noncontroversial, controversialist