re ‧ fute /rɪˈfjuːt/ BrE AmE verb [transitive] formal
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: refutare , from -futare 'to hit' ]
1 . to prove that a statement or idea is not correct SYN rebut
refute a hypothesis/a claim/an idea etc
an attempt to refute Darwin’s theories
2 . to say that a statement is wrong or unfair SYN deny
refute an allegation/a suggestion etc
She refuted any allegations of malpractice.
—refutable adjective
—refutation /ˌrefjʊˈteɪʃ ə n/ noun [uncountable and countable]