disconfirmation.

Evidence or a test result that contradicts or reduces support for a prediction, belief or claim.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• experimental disconfirmation
• disconfirmation of a prediction

On the page

Experimental disconfirmation led the researchers to revise the original account.

Disconfirmation of the prediction did not identify which alternative mechanism was responsible.

Usage notes

Primary category: analysis / argumentation / evidence. Forms: Usually uncountable. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: counterevidence assessment, argument critique, qualified assertion, formal disagreement. Disciplines: argumentation, research interpretation, social analysis. Commonness: moderately common.