disproves

Disproves is the third-person singular present tense of the verb disprove. To disprove a claim is to demonstrate that it is false or mistaken, typically by presenting contrary evidence, logical refutation, or a counterexample. In everyday and scholarly use, a statement that is disproved is no longer considered valid within the tested context, though unresolved evidence can leave room for revision.

Etymology and relation to related terms: the word comes from the prefix dis- meaning “opposite” or “the opposite of,” attached to prove. Disprove is part of a family of terms that express challenging or rejecting a claim, including refute, negate, and discredit. Disprove emphasizes demonstrating falsehood through evidence; refute emphasizes the argument or reasoning used to undermine a claim; discredit focuses more on undermining the credibility of the claimant or the claim’s source.

Use in science, logic, and everyday language: disproving a statement often relies on a counterexample or robust contradictory data. For example, a hypothesis stating “All X are Y” is disproved by finding a single X that is not Y. In scientific practice, disproving a hypothesis is part of the process of falsification, where competing data or experiments challenge ideas in search of more accurate models. However, a disproof of one specific claim does not automatically validate the exact opposite claim; it mainly removes acceptance of the asserted proposition as stated.