Prove: meaning, definitions and examples
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prove
[pruːv ]
Definitions
in logic
Demonstrate the truth or existence of (something) by evidence or argument.
Synonyms
confirm, demonstrate, establish, substantiate, verify.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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prove |
Used when you want to show that something is true based on evidence or argument. It is often used in legal, scientific, or formal contexts.
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demonstrate |
Used when you want to show how something works or to illustrate a point clearly. Often used in educational, technical, or presentation settings.
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establish |
Used when you want to set something up on a firm or permanent basis. It is often used in contexts related to rules, systems, or institutions.
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verify |
Used when you want to check the accuracy or truth of something. This is common in contexts involving authentication or validation.
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substantiate |
Used when you want to support a claim or assertion with evidence. Often used in legal, academic, or formal discussions.
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confirm |
Used to reiterate the truth or accuracy of something that has already been indicated or expected. It is common in everyday and formal contexts.
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Examples of usage
- The concept is difficult to prove
- He had to prove his innocence in court
in practice
Show to be right or reasonable.
Synonyms
corroborate, endorse, justify, support, validate.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
prove |
Used when you need to show that something is true by providing evidence or logical reasoning. It's often used in scientific, academic, or legal settings.
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justify |
Used when providing reasons or explanations to show that an action or decision is reasonable, necessary, or just. Often used in ethical or moral discussions.
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validate |
Used when you want to confirm the accuracy or truth of something, often with official documents, procedures, or experiments.
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support |
Used for showing approval, assistance, or help towards a person, idea, or cause. It can be used in both personal and professional contexts.
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endorse |
Used when someone publicly supports or approves something or someone, usually related to public figures or marketing.
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corroborate |
Used when you want to provide additional evidence or support to strengthen an already existing claim. Often used in legal or investigative contexts.
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Examples of usage
- The decision proved to be correct
- Her theory was later proved wrong
in mathematics
A test or trial version of a product, especially software.
Synonyms
beta version, test version, trial version.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
prove |
Employed when you are demonstrating something is true or correct, often with evidence or logical arguments.
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trial version |
Often used in marketing to refer to a version of a product that is available to users for free for a limited time to test its features.
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beta version |
Used in software development to refer to a version that is not final and is released to a limited audience for testing.
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test version |
Commonly used in both software and other contexts to refer to a preliminary version created for the purpose of testing.
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Examples of usage
- The company released a beta prove of their new app
- I downloaded the prove to test it out
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from the Latin 'probare', which means to test or examine.
- It entered Middle English through the Old French word 'prover', carrying the same meaning of testing or demonstrating.
- The use of the word has evolved to cover both legal and scientific contexts in modern language.
Legal Context
- In court, the burden of proof lies with the party making a claim, meaning they must prove their case.
- Different legal systems have varying standards, such as 'beyond a reasonable doubt' in criminal cases, to determine what it means to successfully prove a point.
- In civil cases, the standard is usually 'preponderance of the evidence', meaning one side simply needs to prove their claim is more likely true than not.
Psychology
- Proving a point can create a sense of validation and confidence, reflecting the importance of evidence in cognitive processes.
- Social proof, a psychological phenomenon, shows that people often rely on evidence presented by others to shape their beliefs.
- Research suggests that proving what you assert can also influence group dynamics and decision-making.
Science
- In scientific research, proving a hypothesis involves experimenting and collecting data to support or refute it.
- The scientific method emphasizes the importance of reproducibility in proving an experiment’s results.
- Famous theories, like evolution, were proved over time through extensive evidence and research across various disciplines.
Literature
- In storytelling, characters often face challenges where they must prove their worth or abilities, driving the plot forward.
- Famous literary works often include motifs of proving one's identity or truth, such as in Arthur Miller's 'The Crucible'.
- Poetry frequently employs the theme of proving love or loyalty, illustrating deeper emotional truths.
Translations
Translations of the word "prove" in other languages:
🇵🇹 provar
🇮🇳 साबित करना
🇩🇪 beweisen
🇮🇩 membuktikan
🇺🇦 доводити
🇵🇱 udowodnić
🇯🇵 証明する (しょうめいする)
🇫🇷 prouver
🇪🇸 probar
🇹🇷 kanıtlamak
🇰🇷 증명하다
🇸🇦 يثبت
🇨🇿 dokázat
🇸🇰 dokázať
🇨🇳 证明 (zhèngmíng)
🇸🇮 dokazati
🇮🇸 sanna
🇰🇿 дәлелдеу
🇬🇪 დამტკიცება
🇦🇿 sübut etmək
🇲🇽 probar