entkräften
to refute
To disprove an argument, suspicion, or accusation and take away its validity or force.
EXAMPLE
Die neuen Beweise entkräfteten die Anklage vollständig.
The new evidence completely refuted the charges.
entkräften
to refute / weaken
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Meanings
entkräften
to weaken
To physically weaken someone or something, robbing them of their strength. This meaning is rarer and is often found in a medical or literary context.
EXAMPLE
Die lange Krankheit hatte den Patienten sichtlich entkräftet.
The long illness had visibly weakened the patient.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is made up of the prefix 'ent-' (to take away) and the word 'Kraft' (strength, force). 'Entkräften' therefore literally means to take strength or force away from someone or something. This applies both to the force of an argument and to a person's physical strength.
EXAMPLE
Der Anwalt konnte das Hauptargument der Gegenseite entkräften.
The lawyer was able to refute the opposing side's main argument.
Inseparable verb
'Entkräften' (to refute / weaken) is an inseparable verb because it begins with 'ent-'. The prefix remains firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms and tenses and is never placed at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Die Zeugenaussage hat den Verdacht nicht entkräftet.
The witness statement did not refute the suspicion.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the object: when abstract things like an argument, an accusation, or a suspicion are the object, it means 'to refute'. When a person or living being is the object, it means 'to physically weaken'.
EXAMPLE
Die Studie entkräftet die alte Theorie. (widerlegen)
The study refutes the old theory. (to refute)
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'to refute', the verb is frequently used with these nouns: 'einen Vorwurf entkräften' (to refute an accusation), 'ein Argument entkräften' (to refute an argument), 'einen Verdacht entkräften' (to dispel a suspicion), or 'eine Kritik entkräften' (to counter criticism).
EXAMPLE
Mit den neuen Daten konnte sie die Kritik an ihrer Arbeit entkräfen.
With the new data, she was able to refute the criticism of her work.
Compare with
entkräften vs bestreiten
to deny / cover / contest
Both words can refer to an accusation or suspicion that someone rejects. „Bestreiten“ mainly says that someone considers it false, while „entkräften“ additionally shows that arguments or evidence remove its validity. Without such reasons, „bestreiten“ is usually the better choice; with them, „entkräften“ is more appropriate.
entkräften
Die Firma entkräftet den Vorwurf mit ihren vollständig dokumentierten Abläufen.
The company refutes the accusation with its fully documented procedures.
bestreiten
Die Firma bestreitet den Vorwurf, Kundendaten falsch verwendet zu haben.
The company denies the accusation that it misused customer data.
In real life
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