confute

[kuh n-fyoot] /kənˈfyut/
verb (used with object), confuted, confuting.
1.
to prove to be false, invalid, or defective; disprove:
to confute an argument.
2.
to prove (a person) to be wrong by argument or proof:
to confute one's opponent.
3.
Obsolete. to bring to naught; confound.
Origin
1520-30; < Latin confūtāre to abash, silence, refute, equivalent to con- con- + -fūtāre; cf. refute
Related forms
confutable, adjective
confuter, noun
unconfutable, adjective
unconfuted, adjective
unconfuting, adjective
Examples from the web for confute
  • Nothing in this handbook should be used to supersede or confute competently developed site-specific estimates.
British Dictionary definitions for confute

confute

/kənˈfjuːt/
verb (transitive)
1.
to prove (a person or thing) wrong, invalid, or mistaken; disprove
2.
(obsolete) to put an end to
Derived Forms
confutable, adjective
confutation (ˌkɒnfjʊˈteɪʃən) noun
confutative, adjective
confuter, noun
Word Origin
C16: from Latin confūtāre to check, silence
Word Origin and History for confute
v.

1520s, from Middle French confuter, from Latin confutare "repress, check; disprove, restrain, silence," from com-, intensive prefix (see com-), + *futare "to beat," from PIE root *bhau- "to strike, beat" (see batter (v.)). Related: Confuted; confuting.