disproven

Disproven is an adjective used to describe a claim, theory, hypothesis, or belief that has been shown to be false by evidence or sound reasoning. When something is disproven, available data or rigorous testing indicate that the assertion cannot be true, at least in the form stated.

In practice, the term is common in science, journalism, and public discourse. A hypothesis becomes disproven when experiments or observations fail to support it and instead contradict it. In debates and legal or historical analyses, a claim may be described as disproven if credible evidence or reasoning has overturned it. Disproven claims are distinct from unproven or undecided ones, which have not yet been tested or confirmed.

Etymology and connotations: disproven is formed from dis- (a negating prefix) and prove, with the past participle -en. The word is related to disproves and disprovement, and is often used interchangeably with disproved or refuted. In some contexts, “refuted” emphasizes persuasive argument or rebuttal, while “disproven” stresses that falsifying evidence has established the claim as false. Nevertheless, the exact usage can vary by discipline and discourse, and editors may choose among terms based on emphasis and precision.