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refutar means to refute / to disprove — a common term in Academic & Exam Prep. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: August 26, 2025

🧠 Academic & Exam Prep

refutar

verb • /[reh-foo-TAR]/

to refute / to disprove

Example:

El autor refuta las ideas presentadas en el estudio.

The author refutes the ideas presented in the study.

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🧠 What does refutar mean?

The Spanish verb 'refutar' means to disprove or refute something. It implies presenting evidence or arguments that contradict a statement, theory, or accusation. Think of it as demonstrating that something is false or incorrect. It's often used in formal contexts like debates, academic discussions, or legal proceedings.

📚 Extra examples

  • El abogado intentó refutar el testimonio del testigo.
    The lawyer tried to refute the witness's testimony.
  • Los científicos refutaron la teoría anterior con nueva evidencia.
    The scientists refuted the previous theory with new evidence.
  • Es difícil refutar una creencia arraigada.
    It's difficult to refute a deeply held belief.
  • El estudiante refutó la afirmación del profesor con un argumento lógico.
    The student refuted the professor's statement with a logical argument.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to refute / to disprove' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'to refute' or 'to disprove' in Spanish is 'refutar'.
How do you pronounce 'refutar' in Spanish?
It's pronounced reh-foo-TAHR, with the stress on the last syllable.
How do you use 'refutar' in a sentence?
Here are a few examples: 'El científico refutó la teoría' (The scientist refuted the theory). 'Intentaron refutar las acusaciones' (They tried to refute the accusations).
What is the English translation of 'refutar'?
'Refutar' translates to 'to refute' or 'to disprove' in English.
Does 'refutar' change for gender or number?
No, 'refutar' is conjugated regularly and doesn't change based on gender or number of the subject.
Is 'refutar' common in everyday Spanish?
While understood by most Spanish speakers, 'refutar' is more common in formal or academic settings than in casual conversation. You're more likely to encounter it in a debate or a scientific article than in a chat with friends.
Does 'refutar' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'refutar' doesn't have any slang meanings or double meanings. It's a fairly straightforward and formal verb.
Is 'refutar' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, 'refutar' has the same meaning and usage across both Spain and Latin America.
How do you conjugate 'refutar' in Spanish?
Here's the present tense: yo refuto, tú refutas, él/ella/usted refuta, nosotros/nosotras refutamos, vosotros/vosotras refutáis, ellos/ellas/ustedes refutan.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "refutar"

Synonyms: desmentir, contradecir, rebatir
Opposites: confirmar, corroborar, probar

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'refutar' comes from the Latin word 'refutare', which means 'to drive back' or 'to repel'.

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