disprove

verb

dis·​prove (ˌ)dis-ˈprüv How to pronounce disprove (audio)
disproved; disproven (ˌ)dis-ˈprü-vən How to pronounce disprove (audio) also disproved; disproving; disproves
Synonyms of disprovenext

transitive verb

: to prove to be false or wrong : refute
disprove a theory

Synonyms of disprove

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Examples of disprove in a Sentence

Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe disproved any lingering notions that the earth is flat.
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In a letter published by N12, Sohlberg instructed the domestic security agency to investigate the allegations and identify evidence that could either substantiate or disprove them. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026 Folklorists don’t study such stories in order to disprove them. — Jeffrey Tolbert, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2026 Mere hours after OpenAI’s announcement, Anthropic posted its own independent result disproving ETH, based on work by an internal Anthropic model. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026 Plausible deniability is the ability of a person or organization to deny knowledge of, responsibility for or involvement in a controversial action in a manner that cannot be conclusively disproved. — Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disprove

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French desprover, from des- dis- + prover to prove

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disprove was in the 14th century

Rhymes for disprove

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Browse Nearby Words

disprovable
disprove
disprovided
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Cite this Entry

“Disprove.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disprove. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

disprove

verb
dis·​prove (ˈ)dis-ˈprüv How to pronounce disprove (audio)
: to prove to be false
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