refutation
Proving something false
Refutation is the act of proving something false or wrong, or the argument that does so.
A refutation doesn't merely deny a claim—it dismantles it with evidence or reasoning: His refutation of the theory was thorough and convincing.
The verb is refute.
Facts supporting truth
- falsificationDeliberate alteration of truth
- debunkingProving claims false
- invalidationAct of nullifying
- disconfirmationEvidence negating a claim
discrediting · exposure · unmasking · confutation · undermining · overturning · quashing · demolition
Point challenging another's position
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
- objectionExpression of disapproval
- critiqueDetailed evaluative analysis
- challengeTest of ability
opposition · contestation · dissent · disputation · contention · counterclaim · counterpoint · demurral
Denial of acceptance
- repudiationFormal refusal to accept
- disavowalRejection of connection
- dismissalRemoval from position
- renunciationFormal surrender of claim
disclaimer · recantation · abjuration · contradiction · rebuttal · retraction · withdrawal · disowning
evidence
Facts supporting truth
- falsificationDeliberate alteration of truth
- debunkingProving claims false
- invalidationAct of nullifying
disconfirmation · discrediting · exposure · unmasking · confutation · undermining · overturning · quashing · demolition · dismantling
counterargument
Point challenging another's position
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
- objectionExpression of disapproval
- critiqueDetailed evaluative analysis
challenge · opposition · contestation · dissent · disputation · contention · counterclaim · counterpoint · demurral · countercharge
rejection
Denial of acceptance
- repudiationFormal refusal to accept
- disavowalRejection of connection
- dismissalRemoval from position
renunciation · disclaimer · recantation · abjuration · contradiction · rebuttal · retraction · withdrawal · disowning · reversal
fallacy
Error in reasoning
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
- rationaleStated basis for action
- premiseFoundation for logical argument
deduction · inference · syllogism · contradiction · inconsistency · paradox · flaw · weakness · error · invalidity
- Greek oratoryDemosthenes, Antiphon, rhetor, epideictic oratory, tetralogies
- argumentsargument, arguing, disagreement, bickering, dispute
- counteractionscountermeasure, countermove, counterattack, counterblow, counterstrike
- inquiryinquiry, investigation, questioning, examination, exploration
- utterancesutterance, statements, exclamation, assertion, questions
- objectionsobjection, complaint, protest, demur, counterpoint
refutationconfirmation
Establishing something as true
proof · corroboration · validation · substantiation · verification
refutationverification
Proving something accurate
attestation · authentication · documentation · testimony · evidence