Refute vs Contradict - What's the difference?
refute | contradict |
To prove (something) to be false or incorrect.
*
To deny the truth or correctness of (something).
*
(obsolete) To speak against; to forbid.
*, New York 2001, p. 203:
To deny the truth of (a statement or statements).
To make a statement denying the truth of the statement(s) made by (a person).
* Shakespeare
* Wordsworth
To be contrary to; to oppose; to resist.
* Hooker
* Shakespeare
Contradict is a synonym of refute.
As verbs the difference between refute and contradict
is that refute is to prove (something) to be false or incorrect while contradict is to speak against; to forbid.refute
English
Verb
(refut)Usage notes
The second meaning of (refute) (to deny the truth of) is proscribed as erroneous by some(compare Merriam Webster,1994). An alternative term with such a meaning is (repudiate), which means to reject or refuse to acknowledge, but without the implication of justification. However, this distinction does not exist in the original Latin , which can apply to both senses.
Synonyms
* : debunk, disprove, rebut * (deny the truth or correctness): deny, gainsay, rebut, reject, repudiateAntonyms
* : demonstrate, prove * (deny the truth or correctness): accept, embracecontradict
English
Verb
(en verb)- magic hath been publically professed in former times, in Salamanca, Cracovia, and other places, though after censured by several universities, and now generally contradicted , though practised by some still […].
- His testimony contradicts hers.
- Everything he says contradicts me.
- Dear Duff, I prithee, contradict thyself, / And say it is not so.
- The future cannot contradict the past.
- No truth can contradict another truth.
- A greater power than we can contradict / Hath thwarted our intents.