Word Study
refutation
CIDE DICTIONARY
refutation, n. [L. refutatio: cf. F. réfutation.].
The act or process of refuting or disproving, or the state of being refuted; proof of falsehood or error; the overthrowing of an argument, opinion, testimony, doctrine, or theory, by argument or countervailing proof. [1913 Webster]
"Same of his blunders seem rather to deserve a flogging than a refutation." [1913 Webster]
THESAURUS
refutation
abjuration, abjurement, abrogation, absolute contradiction, annulment, answer, argument, argumentum, case, complete answer, confounding, confutation, cons, consideration, contradiction, contraremonstrance, contrary assertion, contravention, controversion, counteraccusation, counterblast, countercharge, counterclaim, countering, counterreply, counterstatement, crossing, defense, demolition, demurrer, denial, disaffirmation, disallowance, disavowal, disclaimer, disclamation, discrediting, disownment, disproof, effective rejoinder, elenchus, exception, forswearing, gainsaying, ignoratio elenchi, impugnment, nullification, objection, overthrow, overthrowal, plaidoyer, plea, pleading, pleadings, pros, pros and cons, reason, rebuttal, rebutter, recantation, refutal, rejoinder, renunciation, replication, reply, repudiation, response, retractation, retraction, revocation, riposte, special demurrer, special pleading, squelch, statement of defense, subversion, surrebuttal, surrebutter, surrejoinder, talking point, undermining, upset, upsettingROGET THESAURUS
refutation
Counter Evidence
N counter evidence, evidence on the other side, evidence on the other hand, conflicting evidence, contradictory evidence, opposing evidence, disproof, refutation, negation, plea, vindication, counter protest, 'tu quoque' argument, other side of the shield, other side of the coin, reverse of the shield, countervailing, contradictory, unattested, unauthenticated, unsupported by evidence, supposititious, on the contrary, per contra.Confutation
N confutation, refutation, answer, complete answer, disproof, conviction, redargution, invalidation, exposure, exposition, clincher, retort, reductio ad absurdum, knock down argument, tu quoque argument, sockdolager, correction, dissuasion, confuting, confuted capable of refutation, refutable, confutable, defeasible, contravene (counter evidence), condemned on one's own showing, condemned out of one's own mouth, the argument falls to the ground, cadit quaestio, it does not hold water, suo sibi gladio hunc jugulo, his argument was demolished by new evidence.For further exploring for "refutation" in Webster Dictionary Online