to refute by evidence or argument.

to oppose by contrary proof.

to provide some evidence or argument that refutes or opposes.

verb

agree , approve , back down , concede

verb

break , come back at , confound , confute , controvert , cross , defeat , deny , disconfirm , disprove , evert , fend off , get back at , hold off , invalidate , keep off , negate , negative , overturn , prove false , quash , refute , repel , repulse , stave off , take on , top , ward offnotes:to rebut a statement is to offer clear evidence or a reasoned argument against it; to refute a statement is to prove it wrong (neither means \'contradict\' or \'deny\') , belie , discredit , contradict , rebuff , reply