counterexample

noun

coun·​ter·​ex·​am·​ple ˈkau̇n-tər-ig-ˌzam-pəl How to pronounce counterexample (audio)
: an example that refutes or disproves a proposition or theory

Examples of counterexample in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The coding-tool fight is the counterexample running in real time. — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 In other words, a counterexample to the lonely runner conjecture couldn’t exist—at least, not for eight runners. — Paulina Rowińska, Wired News, 18 Apr. 2026 In an era when our attention is endlessly fragmented, the lives of super-readers offer a quiet counterexample. — Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026 The great counterexample is ancient Athens, which was steered by a five-hundred-person council whose members were generally chosen by lot. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for counterexample

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterexample was in 1809

Rhymes for counterexample

See All Rhymes for counterexample

Browse Nearby Words

counterevidence
counterexample
counterexposition
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Counterexample.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterexample. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All