Refute (rF3t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Refuted; p. pr. & vb. n. Refuting.]
Etymology: [F. réfuter, L. refuteare to repel, refute. Cf. Confute, Refuse to deny.]
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. There were so many witnesses in these two miracles that it is impossible to refute such multitudes. Addison.
Syn. -- To confute; disprove. See Confute.
Shades of meaning
To refute and to confute are to answer so as to admit of no reply. To refute a statement is to demonstrate its falsity by argument or countervailing proof; confute is substantially the same in meaning, tho differing in usage. Refute applies either to arguments and opinions or to accusations; confute is not applied to accusations and charges, but to arguments or opinions. Refute is not now applied to persons, but confute is in good use in this application; a person is confuted when his arguments are refuted.