What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
confute
Example
The scientist was able to confute the hypothesis with empirical data. [confute: verb]
Example
Her argument was confuted by the opposing team's counter-evidence. [confuted: past tense verb]
contradict
Example
His testimony contradicts the witness's account of the event. [contradicts: verb]
Example
The results of the study contradict the previous findings. [contradict: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Contradict is more commonly used than confute in everyday language. Contradict is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while confute is less common and typically used in formal or academic settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between confute and contradict?
Confute is generally considered more formal than contradict. It is often used in academic or legal contexts where precision and accuracy are important, while contradict can be used in both formal and informal settings.
