disprove
Show something false
To disprove something is to show it to be false or incorrect.
You disprove a theory by presenting evidence that contradicts it, or disprove an accusation by demonstrating it couldn't have happened: The alibi disproved the prosecution's timeline.
Disprove is stronger than doubt or question—it implies decisive refutation.
Prove something untrue
- rebutDisprove by argument
- contradictDispute a statement
- negateCancel or disprove
- invalidateMake null or void
confute · controvert · counterargument · rebuttal · challenge · contest · oppose · repudiate
Distort the truth
- discreditHarm another's reputation
- undermineWeaken by stealth
- debunkExpose as false
- exposeMake known publicly
demonstrate · counterexample · data · findings · experiment · test · verify · documentation
Traditional explanatory tale
- misconceptionErroneous belief or understanding
- fallacyError in reasoning
- untruthA false statement
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
misinformation · disinformation · fabrication · lie · error · delusion · illusion · misbelief
refute
Prove something untrue
- rebutDisprove by argument
- contradictDispute a statement
- negateCancel or disprove
invalidate · confute · controvert · counterargument · rebuttal · challenge · contest · oppose · repudiate · disconfirm
falsify
Distort the truth
expose · demonstrate · counterexample · data · findings · experiment · test · verify · documentation · analysis
myth
Traditional explanatory tale
- misconceptionErroneous belief or understanding
- fallacyError in reasoning
- untruthA false statement
hoax · misinformation · disinformation · fabrication · lie · error · delusion · illusion · misbelief · inaccuracy
deduce
Reach by reasoning
derive · syllogism · premise · argument · flaw · fallacy · contradiction · inconsistency · paradox · rationalize
- DIS- wordsdisagree, disallow, disbelieve, disapprove, disarray
- Fact-checkingfact check, verify, debunk, false claim, misinformation
- thinkingthinking, reasoning, thought, ponder, contemplate
- exclusionexclude, excluded, rule out, banned, bans
- evidence handlingcollect, preserve, document, secure, examine
disproved, disproves, disproof, disproving, disproven, disprover, disproval, disprovable