How to Say "to refute" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to refute” is “desmentir” — use 'desmentir' when you need to officially deny or disprove a statement, rumor, or piece of information that has been spread..
desmentir
/dehs-mehn-TEER//desmenˈtiɾ/
Examples
El gobierno tuvo que desmentir las noticias falsas sobre la economía.
The government had to refute the fake news about the economy.
La empresa tuvo que desmentir los rumores sobre su cierre.
The company had to deny the rumors about its closure.
Sus acciones desmienten sus palabras de amor.
His actions contradict his words of love.
Los científicos lograron desmentir la vieja teoría con nuevas pruebas.
Scientists managed to debunk the old theory with new evidence.
The 'E' to 'IE' and 'I' Swap
This verb is a bit tricky. The middle 'e' changes to 'ie' when you stress it (like 'yo desmiento'), but it changes to 'i' in the past for 'he/she' and 'they' (like 'él desmintió').
Using 'Desmentir' vs. 'Negar'
Use 'desmentir' when you are specifically saying a claim or rumor is false. Use 'negar' for a general refusal or when someone says they didn't do something.
The Past Tense Slip-up
Mistake: “Él desmentió la noticia.”
Correction: Él desmintió la noticia. Because it's an -ir verb with an 'e' in the stem, that 'e' turns into 'i' in the 3rd person past tense.
demoler
/deh-moh-LEHR//demoˈleɾ/
Examples
El abogado logró demoler la acusación con pruebas irrefutables.
The lawyer managed to refute the accusation with irrefutable evidence.
Sus argumentos lograron demoler la defensa del abogado.
His arguments managed to dismantle the lawyer's defense.
El científico demolió la teoría anterior con nuevas evidencias.
The scientist tore apart the previous theory with new evidence.
Abstract Usage
Even though it sounds like construction work, you can use it for ideas. It implies a very thorough, undeniable destruction of a theory or claim.
Demoler vs. Desmentir
Related Translations
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