verb
falsify
To show that a claim or theory is false.
One contrary observation could falsify the hypothesis.
Etymology
The source verb meant to make false. English also developed the sense of proving false, so falsifying a theory can mean refuting it rather than dishonestly altering it.
More examples
- The experiment was designed to falsify the prediction.
- These findings falsified the claim that the effect was universal.
- A theory must expose itself to evidence that could falsify it.
Forms
falsify · falsifies · falsified · falsifying
falsifiable adjective — capable of being disproved by evidence