1. To prove the incorrectness or falsity of a statement or idea: The lawyer, Mr. Webster, refuted the testimony of the witness against his client, Tim Smith, as being completely untrue.

Greg's employer totally refutes the allegation that he is racially biased.

2. To say that something is neither true nor accurate; to challenge or to contradict: Mike is refuting the notion that he is planning to retire soon.

Shirley refuted the allegations that since she got such a high score that she had cheated on her final exam.

3. Etymology: "refuse, reject", from Latin refutare, "to drive back, to repress, to repel, to rebut"; re-, "back" + -futare, "to beat, to strike down".