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widerlegen

to refute, to disprove

verb VEE-der-lay-gen Rare

Usage Note

Widerlegen means to demolish an argument or claim by counter-evidence or logic — eine These widerlegen (to refute a thesis). It is an active, decisive communicative act, stronger than merely doubting something.

Examples

"Der Wissenschaftler widerlegte die Behauptung mit konkreten Daten."

Natural Translation

The scientist refuted the claim with concrete data.

Literal Translation

The scientist refuted the claim with concrete data.

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