(v. t.) To disprove and overthrow by argument, evidence, or countervailing proof\; to prove to be false or erroneous; to confute; as, to refute arguments; to refute testimony; to refute opinions or theories; to refute a disputant.

abjure advocate allege in support answer answer conclusively argue down argue for assert assert the contrary belie break champion confound confute contend for contest contradict contravene controvert counter countercharge counterclaim cross crush defeat defend demolish deny disaffirm disallow disavow disclaim disconfirm dismiss disown dispose of disprove dispute espouse evert finish floor forswear gainsay impugn join issue upon maintain make a plea make a rebuttal nonplus not accept not admit nullify oppose overthrow overturn overwhelm parry plead for put to silence rebut recant reduce to silence refuse to admit rejoin renounce reply repudiate respond retract revoke riposte say in defense settle shut up silence smash all opposition speak for speak up for squash squelch stand up for stick up for subvert support surrebut surrejoin sustain take back take issue with undermine uphold upset urge reasons for