Refutable: meaning, definitions and examples
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refutable
[ rɪˈfjuːtəbl ]
argument quality
The term 'refutable' describes a proposition or statement that can be proven false through evidence or logical reasoning. It is often used in the context of scientific hypotheses, theories, and arguments, where falsifiability is a crucial criterion for validity. If a claim is refutable, then there exists a possibility to challenge its truth, making it an important aspect of critical thinking and discourse. An argument that is not refutable is typically considered unfounded or unscientific, as it cannot be tested against observations.
Synonyms
contradictable, disprovable, falsifiable
Examples of usage
- The theory is refutable by new evidence.
- His statement was entirely refutable.
- It is important for scientific claims to be refutable.
Translations
Translations of the word "refutable" in other languages:
🇵🇹 refutável
🇮🇳 खंडन योग्य
🇩🇪 widerlegbar
🇮🇩 dapat dibantah
🇺🇦 спростовуваний
🇵🇱 refutowalny
🇯🇵 反証可能な
🇫🇷 réfutable
🇪🇸 refutable
🇹🇷 çürütülebilir
🇰🇷 반박 가능한
🇸🇦 قابل للدحض
🇨🇿 vyvratitelný
🇸🇰 vyvrátiteľný
🇨🇳 可反驳的
🇸🇮 zavrnljiv
🇮🇸 hægt er að afsanna
🇰🇿 теріске шығаруға болатын
🇬🇪 გადაწყვეტილი
🇦🇿 təkzib edilə bilən
🇲🇽 refutable
Etymology
The word 'refutable' originates from the Latin root 'refutari', which means 'to rebut or to deny'. The term arrived in the English language in the late 19th century and has since been used primarily in philosophical, scientific, and logical discussions to denote claims that can be disproven. Falsifiability, a concept introduced by philosophers like Karl Popper, emphasizes the importance of refutability in scientific theories, marking a clear distinction between scientific claims and those that are not amenable to empirical testing. The prefix 're-' indicates opposition or reversal, while the root 'futare' relates to making or doing, thus literally implying the act of 'doing against' an assertion. Over time, the term has become an essential part of critical discourse, particularly in debates surrounding scientific methodology and epistemology.