Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense disproves, present participle disproving, past tense disproved, past participle disproven
verb
To disprove an idea, belief, or theory means to show that it is not true.
The statistics to prove or disprove his hypothesis will take years to collect. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: prove false, discredit, refute, contradict More Synonyms of disprove
disprove in British English
(dɪsˈpruːv)
verb
(transitive)
to show (an assertion, claim, etc) to be incorrect
Derived forms
disprovable (disˈprovable)
adjective
disproval (disˈproval)
noun
disprove in American English
(dɪsˈpruv; ˈdɪsˈpruv; ˈdɪsˌpruv)
verb transitiveWord forms: disˈproved, disˈproved or disˈproven, disˈproving
to prove to be false or in error; refute; confute
SYNONYMY NOTE: disprove implies the presenting of evidence or reasoned arguments that demonstrate an assertion,etc. to be false or erroneous; , refute implies a more thorough assembly of evidence and a more careful development of argument,hence suggests conclusiveness of proof against; , confute suggests the overwhelming or silencing of a person by argument or proof; , controvert implies a disputing or denying of statements, arguments, etc. in an endeavor to refutethem; , rebut stresses formality in refuting an argument, such as is observed in debate, courtprocedure, etc.
Derived forms
disprovable (disˈprovable)
adjective
Word origin
ME disproven < OFr desprover: see di-1 & prove
Examples of 'disprove' in a sentence
disprove
This might indeed be the only way to disprove claims about tax avoidance conclusively.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
One that disproved the theory that good teams win when they are not playing well.
The Sun (2011)
There is not enough evidence in the letters to prove or disprove this hypothesis.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
That claim was disproved by the footage.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Such claims are impossible to prove or disprove.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Can archaeology prove or disprove biblical stories?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Thus the crash didn't conclusively disprove the hypothesis.
Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)
Publicly released documents in America have already disproved his claims.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
There have been many theories over the years, but none has been proved or disproved.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
And this is the problem with alternative medicine: how can you prove or disprove such claims?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
There's no way to prove or disprove their theory.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
If there is an allegation that comes to light, it cannot be proved or disproved.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
But by definition predictions of a major change in direction cannot be disproved -- or proved.
Stearns, Peter N. World History: Patterns of Change and Continuity (1995)
As for the science, there is no research to prove or to disprove it.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
There are three theories, none of which we can conclusively prove or disprove without a time machine.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
These products all contain dozens of ingredients, and it is impossible to prove or disprove what most of them do.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
ANYONE who can only come forward when they know no one can disprove what they claim should just keep quiet.
The Sun (2012)
In the latter case we would reserve judgement on the issue of company size and management remuneration since no clear link is either proved or disproved.
Pass, Christopher, Lowes, Bryan Collins Dictionary of Economics (1993)
But he admitted there was'no definitive evidence to prove or disprove the suggested link '.
The Sun (2015)
To prove or disprove the tallest tales, you need to get into Turkmenistan and see for yourself.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Leaving aside the circumstantial evidence, each of the three main pieces of evidence mentioned above would be enough to disprove claims that the fragment is truly ancient.
Christianity Today (2000)
In other languages
disprove
British English: disprove VERB
To disprove an idea, belief, or theory means to show that it is not true.
The statistics to prove or disprove his hypothesis will take years to collect.