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refute
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  • Since this allegation falls very directly into my own realm, I am able to refute it with absolute authority.   (source)
    refute = argue that it is false
  • He was able to get away with this because logical refutation required more talent than any of the students had.   (source)
    refutation = evidence or argument that something is false
  • Now that I have told you such a lot about Plato, you must start by hearing how Aristotle refuted Plato's theory of ideas.   (source)
    refuted = argued it was false
  • On the surface it appeared to be totally peaceful and almost a refutation of the term "revolution."   (source)
    refutation = evidence that something is false
  • I hope this book will go some distance toward refuting that.   (source)
    refuting = proving or arguing that something is false
  • They are interested solely in confirming highly dubious theoretical hypotheses ... and make no attempt at refutation   (source)
    refutation = evidence or argument that something is false
  • I leaned there, aching to humiliate them, to refute them.   (source)
    refute = disprove the argument of
  • They can be refuted, proved to be totally false, yet still there is that lingering doubt.   (source)
    refuted = proved false
  • When the war came, no one could refute his evidence.   (source)
    refute = disprove (prove that something is false)
  • They neither refuted nor agreed; they merely looked as if her arguments were beside the point.   (source)
    refuted = argued against
  • Each excuse was refuted.   (source)
    refuted = argued against or disproven
  • The many places where it seems to refute itself did not confuse her in the least.   (source)
    refute = disprove or argue against
  • You can't refute facts.   (source)
    refute = disprove (prove that something is false)
  • ...would go down in the record and it would be a brave man who set himself to refute it.   (source)
    refute = argue against
  • ...they cannot refute it,   (source)
    refute = disprove (prove that something is false)
  • his theories were refuted, smashed, ridiculed, held up to the general gaze for the pitiful rubbish that they were   (source)
    refuted = proved or argued as false
  • Alongside of these very arguments we use others totally inconsistent, so that the accusation of repression may be refuted.   (source)
    refuted = disproved or argued against
  • No, all those horrors were not near enough as yet even to ruffle the equanimity of that spring afternoon. The clang of an unseen streetcar came through the window, briskly refuting cruelty and pain.   (source)
    refuting = proving or arguing that something is false
  • In this instance as in so many other instances in these days, the character of this unfortunate man signally refutes ... that peevish saying attributed to the late Dr. Johnson, that patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.   (source)
    refutes = disproves (shows that something is false)
  • They savour ... views that I have completely refuted in four of my unpublished sermons.   (source)
    refuted = disproved or argued against
  • The logic cannot be refuted,   (source)
    refuted = proved false
  • He was eager to hear the slander refuted from headquarters...   (source)
  • he scarcely tried to refute his evidence   (source)
    refute = argue against
  • seeking arguments to refute other theories   (source)
  • The people, in the case of which we speak, could justify its prejudice against Roger Chillingworth by no fact or argument worthy of serious refutation.   (source)
    refutation = argument against
  •   "I didn't touch you, you lying creature!" cried she, her fingers tingling to repeat the act, and...
      "What's that, then?" I retorted, showing a decided purple witness to refute her.   (source)
    refute = disprove the argument of
  • "do as you please my dear viscount, for your arguments are beyond my powers of refutation."   (source)
    refutation = argument (that they are false)
  • Newman pointed to the empty glass, as though it were a sufficient refutation of the charge,   (source)
    refutation = evidence or argument that something is false
  • my friend M. le Roy, of the Royal Academy of Sciences, took up my cause and refuted him;   (source)
    refuted = argued that something is false
  • That sense of loss is exactly what we must anticipate, prepare for, and cherish to the last of our days; for it is only our heartbreak that finally refutes all that is ephemeral in love.†   (source)
  • This idea came as a shock to Paul, but he couldn't think of an argument to refute Clara's suspicion.†   (source)
  • And when they inevitably blame Commander Lewis, be advised I'll publicly refute it.†   (source)
  • The whole notion was mad—absolute bunkum—a refutation of the empirical laws that govern everything!†   (source)
  • She wanted to refute Pearl's claim, to call her a liar.†   (source)
  • Knowing she's been lying to me doesn't immediately refute the thirteen years I've loved her, so seeing her in pain only causes me pain in return.†   (source)
  • My owl came back with a letter containing one simple sentence: "Tell your husband to refute these allegations about my son once and for all."†   (source)
  • Your novel may contain echoes or refutations of novels or poems you've never read.†   (source)
  • When a workers' comp claim involves an injury that is nearly impossible to refute (such as an on-the-job amputation), the meatpacking companies generally agree to pay.†   (source)
  • When at last Gannel succeeded in restoring order, he said, "Grimstborith Vermund, can you refute these charges?"†   (source)
  • I would refute it by noting that the presidents of the ANC have been Zulus, Basotho, Pedis, and Tswanas, and the executive has always been a mixture of tribal groups.†   (source)
  • No, he said Darin was in the death cells in Bekkar and that the prison provided Blackcliff's security backup, all of which Veturius has just refuted.†   (source)
  • I'm a married woman, Norah replied, shifting to look out the window at the dazzling, shifting sand, eager for her sister to refute her.†   (source)
  • Everybody seemed cool and collected …. and it is sufficient refutation of the absurd stories which have been circulating of outrages, lynchings, etc., to state the simple fact that my wife and her sister …. were a long time walking about the streets in the vicinity of the fire …. without ever a feeling of insecurity, or receiving an uncivil word from anyone.†   (source)
  • The Americans had been careful to have each meeting videotaped so that later accusations of intimidation could be refuted at once.†   (source)
  • Chloe turned down the radio as I twisted in my seat, already wondering what I'd say when Dexter asked why I was leaving, what was the deal, how exactly I could refute that automatic assumption that this was just jealous girlfriend behavior.†   (source)
  • What did matter was that everyone thought it existed, and that was much worse, for there was no object or text to ridicule or refute, to accuse, criticize, attack, amend, hate, revile, spit at, rip to shreds, trample upon or burn up.†   (source)
  • If Svensson were still alive they would have been able to publish without question—he and Johansson could have easily dealt with and refuted any objections.†   (source)
  • In response, Hamilton published his own pamphlet, Observations on Certain Documents …. in which …. the Charge of Speculation against Alexander Hamilton …. is Fully Refuted.†   (source)
  • We now took conventional Army soldiers with us on operations as observers so they could refute any false accusations.†   (source)
  • Carmen vigorously refutes the claim by Vicente Fox and Carlos Fuentes that Latinos are achieving a linguistic reconquest of America.†   (source)
  • With this knowledge she could easily refute all of John's arguments about the dangers involved for those who ran away.†   (source)
  • And it furnishes a rule for interpreting the Constitution—within the Constitution—that justifies my position and refutes every hypothesis to the contrary.†   (source)
  • And Heafstaag hated him even more because he could not refute the power, that the wizard commanded.†   (source)
  • If Plato's account is accurate, Socrates could have been seen by jurors offering a smokescreen rather than a refutation of the charge of impiety.†   (source)
  • But Lotte had an amiable, generous disposition that refuted the look of menace.†   (source)
  • "Shall we argue, rebut and refute "In enthymeme clear as your eye?†   (source)
  • Progress in science is governed by the laws of repulsion, every step forward is made by refutation of prevalent errors and false theories.†   (source)
  • And an alibi we can refute.   (source)
    refute = prove false
  • All of these things are ... a refutation of the notion that the way we function and communicate and process information is straightforward and transparent.   (source)
    refutation = evidence or argument that something is false
  • He was astonished, indeed, but his character and general conduct must refute it.   (source)
    refute = show that it is not so
  • though the accusation had been eagerly refuted at the time, there were moments of self-examination in which her conscience could not quite acquit her.   (source)
    refuted = argued against
  • To refute him someone would have to prove to him that there is no devil, or another peasant would have to explain to him that it is not the devil but a German, who moves the locomotive.   (source)
    refute = disprove the argument of
  • I'm about to refute this idiotic logic when he takes off, running past me in a blur.†   (source)
  • Or, he could take the right horn, and refute the idea that subjectivity implies "anything you like."†   (source)
  • He could take the left horn and refute the idea that objectivity implied scientific detectability.†   (source)
  • He turned his attention to the other horn of the dilemma, which showed more promise of refutation.†   (source)
  • There was forensic evidence related to the incident, which she no doubt intended to refute.†   (source)
  • If you can refute a single sentence I uttered, madame, I shall hear it gratefully.†   (source)
  • Regis nodded, unable to dispute the spokesman's simple logic and unwilling to refute his optimism.†   (source)
  • I knew of these whispers, and I intended to refute them.†   (source)
  • The comments about the senators' term in office also refute this worry.†   (source)
  • They haven't said a thing that could be refuted and embarrass them professionally.†   (source)
  • What can we say about the objection this paper refutes?†   (source)
  • Now refutation and counterpoint and contrariwise.†   (source)
  • Do you wish to refute my claim?†   (source)
  • His geniality was confirmed by none and sharply refuted by two, one the head of a major University department who described him as a "holy terror" and another who held a graduate degree in philosophy from the University of Chicago who said the chairman was well known for graduating only carbon copies of himself.†   (source)
  • This refutation of scientific materialism, however, seemed to put him in the camp of philosophic idealism…Berkeley, Hume, Kant, Fichte, Schelling, Hegel, Bradley, Bosanquet…good company all, logical to the last comma, but so difficult to justify in "common sense" language they seemed a burden to him in his defense of Quality rather than an aid.†   (source)
  • He began by stating that the defense would refute the claims made of the applicability of both Pickney's Treaty and the Antelope case.†   (source)
  • If the American judiciary had any brains-which on the surface the Justice Department would seem to refute-they'd put him back on the bench.†   (source)
  • It's not a big deal," I said, not refuting this exactly, which set off another round of silence and exchanged looks.†   (source)
  • When he talked about psychology now, he invariably used the technical language of the experimentalist: variables, constants, manipulation, observation, recording of data, testing hypotheses, and the advantages of attempting to refute hypotheses as against confirming them.†   (source)
  • But there was nothing in there about what time the slaves were loaded, so there was no way to refute Singbe's testimony.†   (source)
  • Vide Number 81 refutes the idea that it is abolished by the appellate jurisdiction in matters of fact being vested in the Supreme Court.†   (source)
  • It was useless to argue, she thought, and to wonder about people who would neither refute an argument nor accept it.†   (source)
  • In subsequent days he continually invited their refutations, but none came.†   (source)
  • In addition to these three classical logical refutations there are some illogical, "rhetorical" ones.†   (source)
  • Phaedrus, however, because of his training in logic, was aware that every dilemma affords not two but three classic refutations, and he also knew of a few that weren't so classic, so he smiled back.†   (source)
  • He opened his eyes again, hoping reality would refute conviction.†   (source)
  • If you make charges, Then in public I will refute them.†   (source)
  • The work of the incarnation is to refute by his presence the pretensions of the tyrant ogre.†   (source)
  • His scientific precision was impeccable and his erudition astounding; no one could refute him on the cooking utensils of Babylon or the doormats of Byzantium.†   (source)
  • Since his entire personality had been brought into accord with the powers and forms of timelessness, all of him stood to be refuted, blasted, by the impact of the forms and powers of time.†   (source)
  • He refuted Young's wild charges, but the majority of the club's members were bewildered, did not know whether to believe him or not.†   (source)
  • I could not refute the general Communist analysis of the world; the only drawback was that their world was just too simple for belief.†   (source)
  • And in his action I found complete refutation of all Wolf Larsen's materialism.†   (source)
  • I am arguing fairly with you, and, I think, utterly refuting you.†   (source)
  • Belknap was not able to refute or exclude them.†   (source)
  • Often the pleasure is illusory, but their error in calculation is no refutation of the rule.†   (source)
  • He refutes the very theories which he defended seven years ago.†   (source)
  • The prince became flame to refute her, and his visit really proved charming.†   (source)
  • Two posts came in, and brought no refutation, public or private.†   (source)
  • So it will be necessary for you to refute them publicly.†   (source)
  • Yet the chief of these reasons may perhaps be refuted by the imperfections of the performance.†   (source)
  • Who wants a system on the basis of the four elements, or a book to refute Paracelsus?†   (source)
  • 'Refute these calumnies,' said Kate, 'and be more patient, so that you may give them no advantage.†   (source)
  • With two very simple questions, it seemed, he had dumbfounded him, refuted every possible argument, even the world republic and beautiful style.†   (source)
  • He surrendered so quickly, looked so wretched at the sight of his castle in ruins, and replied in so craven a tone to Swann, appealing to him not to persist in a refutation which was already superfluous, "All right; all right; anyhow, even if I have made a mistake that's not a crime, I hope," that Swann longed to be able to console him by insisting that the story was indubitably true and exquisitely funny.†   (source)
  • That brought her erect, trembling and ashy pale, with dark, proud eyes and mute lips refuting his insinuation.†   (source)
  • He had been frank with himself—let alone with me—in the wild hope of arriving in that way at some effective refutation, and the stars had been ironically unpropitious.†   (source)
  • In this instance as in so many other instances in these days, the character of this unfortunate man signally refutes, if refutation were needed, that peevish saying attributed to the late Dr. Johnson, that patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.†   (source)
  • Mason now proposed to remain absolutely silent regarding this information, and that about the camera and films and the data regarding Clyde's offense in Kansas City, until nearer the day of trial, or during the trial itself, when it would be impossible for the defense to attempt either to refute or ameliorate it in any way.†   (source)
  • …was reminded of that humanist's spare garret with its lectern and rush-bottom chairs and water carafe; whereas Naphta, after first claiming that lust could never be without guilt and that nature should, if you please, have a bad conscience in the presence of the Spirit, went on to refute the nihilism of the ascetic principle by defining the Church's policy of spiritual indulgence as "love"—and Hans Castorp found the word "love" sounded very odd coming from caustic, gaunt little Naphta.†   (source)
  • I am, as you see, a little impatient in matters intellectual and would prefer to be denounced as a pedant rather than to leave uncontested views I consider to be as deserving of refutation as those that you have formulated here.†   (source)
  • And quoting the biblical verse "Vengeance is mine," he pointed out that the state, if its purpose was ennoblement and not coercion, should not repay evil with evil, and went on to repudiate the concept of "punishment," after first having refuted that of "guilt," basing his argument on scientific determinism.†   (source)
  • For of course my uncle was right, and wiser men than his nephew would have had some trouble to refute his statements.†   (source)
  • CHAPTER VI "I don't believe it, I can't believe it!" repeated Razumihin, trying in perplexity to refute Raskolnikov's arguments.†   (source)
  • Each of his "Lives" is a refutation to the despondency and cowardice of our religious and political theorists.†   (source)
  • The counsel for the defence had some difficulty in refuting this harangue and in establishing that, in consequence of the revelations of M. Madeleine, that is to say, of the real Jean Valjean, the aspect of the matter had been thoroughly altered, and that the jury had before their eyes now only an innocent man.†   (source)
  • His still refuted quirks he still repeats; New-raised objections with new quibbles meets, Till sinking in the quicksand he defends, He dies disputing, and the contest ends.†   (source)
  • "Therefore," I wrote, "after examining these different hypotheses one by one, we are forced, every other supposition having been refuted, to accept the existence of an extremely powerful marine animal.†   (source)
  • But that same Nature has the deep cunning which hides itself under the appearance of openness, so that simple people think they can see through her quite well, and all the while she is secretly preparing a refutation of their confident prophecies.†   (source)
  • What degree of alarm this young person took need not be exactly measured; she instantly rose, however, with a blush which was not a refutation.†   (source)
  • Just try refuting it.†   (source)
  • The soil of all the former states has the appearance of an alluvial deposit; and isolated rocks have been found, of a nature and in situations which render it difficult to refute the opinion that they have been transferred to their present beds by floating ice.†   (source)
  • With respect to that other, more weighty accusation, of having injured Mr. Wickham, I can only refute it by laying before you the whole of his connection with my family.†   (source)
  • This view of the question is wholly unfounded, and has been before so amply refuted in these pages, as well as in a thousand other modes, that we shall not again dwell upon it.†   (source)
  • She asked more questions than he could answer, and launched brave theories, as to historic cause and social effect, that he was equally unable to accept or to refute.†   (source)
  • Come, if so you will, count, and continue this conversation at my house, any day you may be willing to see an adversary capable of understanding and anxious to refute you, and I will show you my father, M. Noirtier de Villefort, one of the most fiery Jacobins of the French Revolution; that is to say, he had the most remarkable audacity, seconded by a most powerful organization—a man who has not, perhaps, like yourself seen all the kingdoms of the earth, but who has helped to overturn…†   (source)
  • "Let us understand one another, Countess," said he with a smile, and began refuting his spiritual daughter's arguments.†   (source)
  • "I can prove beyond the power of refutation," the naturalist eagerly exclaimed, "by Paley, Berkeley, ay, even by the immortal Binkerschoek, that a compactum, concluded while one of the parties, be it a state or be it an individual, is in durance—"†   (source)
  • Chapter VI Tending to Refute the Popular Prejudice against the Present of a Pocket-Knife In that dark time of December, the sale of the household furniture lasted beyond the middle of the second day.†   (source)
  • Then, the paleness of her face — its haggard aspect having vanished as she recovered flesh — and the peculiar expression arising from her mental state, though painfully suggestive of their causes, added to the touching interest which she awakened; and — invariably to me, I know, and to any person who saw her, I should think — refuted more tangible proofs of convalescence, and stamped her as one doomed to decay.†   (source)
  • …it immediately occurred, that something might be done in her favour by the influence of the woman he loved, and she had been hastily preparing to interest Anne's feelings, as far as the observances due to Mr Elliot's character would allow, when Anne's refutation of the supposed engagement changed the face of everything; and while it took from her the new-formed hope of succeeding in the object of her first anxiety, left her at least the comfort of telling the whole story her own way.†   (source)
  • "Out with the prating villain!" said Beaumanoir, who was not prepared to refute this practical application of his general maxim.†   (source)
  • His speech might be divided into two parts, the first consisting of criticism in refutation of the charge, sometimes malicious and sarcastic.†   (source)
  • By refuting these new laws the former view of history might have been retained; but without refuting them it would seem impossible to continue studying historic events as the results of man's free will.†   (source)
  • A long and decorous pause was suffered to succeed the words of the first speaker, in order that all might duly deliberate on their wisdom, before another chief took on himself the office of refutation.†   (source)
  • But of the two triumphs, that of refuting a sophistical son and that of holding on a while longer to a state of being which, with all abatements, he enjoyed, Ralph deemed it no sin to hope the latter might be vouchsafed to Mr. Touchett.†   (source)
  • The lawyers and experts were lost in admiration, and were only at a loss to understand what good purpose could be served by it, for all, I repeat, felt that the case for the prosecution could not be refuted, but was growing more and more tragically overwhelming.†   (source)
  • He would transfer a question to metaphysical heights, pass on to definitions of space, time, and thought, and, having deduced the refutation he needed, would again descend to the level of the original discussion.†   (source)
  • But the man who says that the movement of the wheels is the cause refutes himself, for having once begun to analyze he ought to go on and explain further why the wheels go round; and till he has reached the ultimate cause of the movement of the locomotive in the pressure of steam in the boiler, he has no right to stop in his search for the cause.†   (source)
  • But the universal historian Gervinus, refuting this opinion of the specialist historian, tries to prove that the campaign of 1813 and the restoration of the Bourbons were due to other things beside Alexander's will—such as the activity of Stein, Metternich, Madame de Stael, Talleyrand, Fichte Chateaubriand, and others.†   (source)
  • This is true, O Athenians, or, if not true, would be soon refuted.†   (source)
  • I reflected that if I could only find a man wiser than myself, then I might go to the god with a refutation in my hand.†   (source)
  • P.S. The Publication of this new Edition hath been delayed, with a View of taking notice (had it been necessary) of any Attempt to refute the Doctrine of Independance: As no Answer hath yet appeared, it is now presumed that none will, the Time needful for getting such a Performance ready for the Public being considerably past.†   (source)
  • It happened that they wrought an effect on me quite contrary to what was intended by them; for the arguments of the Deists, which were quoted to be refuted, appeared to me much stronger than the refutations; in short, I soon became a thorough Deist.†   (source)
  • And as no offer hath yet been made to refute the doctrine contained in the former editions of this pamphlet, it is a negative proof, that either the doctrine cannot be refuted, or, that the party in favour of it are too numerous to be opposed.†   (source)
  • But I cannot in a moment refute great slanders; and, as I am convinced that I never wronged another, I will assuredly not wrong myself.†   (source)
  • And as no offer hath yet been made to refute the doctrine contained in the former editions of this pamphlet, it is a negative proof, that either the doctrine cannot be refuted, or, that the party in favour of it are too numerous to be opposed.†   (source)
  • Prince Andrew, listening to this polyglot talk and to these surmises, plans, refutations, and shouts, felt nothing but amazement at what they were saying.†   (source)
  • It happened that they wrought an effect on me quite contrary to what was intended by them; for the arguments of the Deists, which were quoted to be refuted, appeared to me much stronger than the refutations; in short, I soon became a thorough Deist.†   (source)
  • But then how can he refute Rahajamati's attack on this method, and Tanida's challenge to the validity of this kind of control?   (source)
    refute = argue against
  • The bulldog of Aquin, with whom no word shall be impossible, refutes him.   (source)
    refutes = proves or argues that something is false
  • But self-destruction therefore sought, refutes
    That excellence thought in thee; and implies,   (source)
    refutes = argues against
  • To state the first in its proper form, is to refute it.†   (source)
  • The error which limits republican government to a narrow district has been unfolded and refuted in preceding papers.†   (source)
  • And thus much in refutation of his first Book, wherein hee would prove St. Peter to have been the Monarch Universall of the Church, that is to say, of all the Christians in the world.†   (source)
  • "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" upon which was grounded a report that hee should not dye: Neverthelesse the truth of that report was neither confirmed, as well grounded; nor refuted, as ill grounded on those words; but left as a saying not understood.†   (source)
  • But this hypothesis, such as it is, has already been refuted in the remarks applied to the duration in office prescribed for the senators.†   (source)
  • With regard to civil causes, subtleties almost too contemptible for refutation have been employed to countenance the surmise that a thing which is only NOT PROVIDED FOR, is entirely ABOLISHED.†   (source)
  • Happily for mankind, stupendous fabrics reared on the basis of liberty, which have flourished for ages, have, in a few glorious instances, refuted their gloomy sophisms.†   (source)
  • 3 Vide No. 81, in which the supposition of its being abolished by the appellate jurisdiction in matters of fact being vested in the Supreme Court, is examined and refuted.†   (source)
  • The charge of a conspiracy against the liberties of the people, which has been indiscriminately brought against the advocates of the plan, has something in it too wanton and too malignant, not to excite the indignation of every man who feels in his own bosom a refutation of the calumny.†   (source)
  • This circumstance is a clear indication of the sense of the convention, and furnishes a rule of interpretation out of the body of the act, which justifies the position I have advanced and refutes every hypothesis to the contrary.†   (source)
  • The position is too absurd to merit a refutation, and yet this is precisely the position which those must establish who contend that the trial by juries in civil cases is abolished, because it is expressly provided for in cases of a criminal nature.†   (source)
  • …attack upon the books of chivalry, of which Aristotle never dreamt, nor St. Basil said a word, nor Cicero had any knowledge; nor do the niceties of truth nor the observations of astrology come within the range of its fanciful vagaries; nor have geometrical measurements or refutations of the arguments used in rhetoric anything to do with it; nor does it mean to preach to anybody, mixing up things human and divine, a sort of motley in which no Christian understanding should dress itself.†   (source)
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