disprove

Everyday

1. To show that an idea or statement is false by giving facts or evidence. tree →
2. (maths and science) To show a rule does not always work, often by finding one counterexample. tree →

In the lessons

In science, experiments can disprove an idea (a hypothesis); a good scientist changes their mind when the evidence disproves them. In maths, one counterexample disproves a rule: «All odd numbers are prime» is disproved by 9. In arguments and debates, you try to disprove the other side's claims with evidence.

Examples

• The experiment disproved the idea that heavy things fall faster. tree →
• One example can disprove a rule in maths. tree →
• The number 9 disproves the claim that all odd numbers are prime. tree →
• No one could disprove his story. tree →
• Galileo helped disprove old ideas about the sky. tree →
• The detective used the CCTV to disprove the alibi. tree →

Note

Opposite: «prove». «Disproved» and «disproven» are both fine as past participles. Proving something is true usually needs much more than disproving it.