incontrovertibly

Everyday

1. (formal) In a way that nobody can argue against or prove wrong, because the facts are completely clear. tree →
2. Without any possible doubt; certainly. tree →

In the lessons

Used in the stiff exam voice, in science reports and in detective stories when the evidence is so strong that the question is closed: «the footprints incontrovertibly showed…». It tells the reader that a claim is settled, not just likely. In maths it is close to «proved»: a proof shows something incontrovertibly. Often comes in «incontrovertibly true», «incontrovertibly proved», «incontrovertibly linked».

Examples

• The video incontrovertibly showed that the ball crossed the line. tree →
• The experiment proved incontrovertibly that plants need light to grow. tree →
• The fingerprints incontrovertibly linked the thief to the broken window. tree →
• It is incontrovertibly true that 2 + 2 = 4. tree →
• The results were incontrovertibly clear, so the teacher did not ask us to repeat the test. tree →
• «You took the last biscuit,» said Mum, «and the crumbs prove it incontrovertibly.» tree →
• Scientists have shown incontrovertibly that the Earth goes round the Sun. tree →

Note

A long formal word; in everyday talk people say «without a doubt», «definitely» or «beyond question». Stress: in-con-tro-VER-ti-bly. Do not mix it up with «controversially» (in a way that causes arguments) – it means almost the opposite. Be careful: writers sometimes use it for things that are only very likely; true incontrovertible proof leaves no room for doubt at all.