Rebuttable

Rebuttable describes something that can be proven wrong or disproved, typically a presumption, argument, or evidence presented in court or a formal discussion. It signifies that the initial claim, though perhaps initially accepted or considered valid, is subject to challenge and potential refutation through counter-evidence, logical arguments, or new information. The degree of rebuttability often depends on the strength of the opposing evidence and the standard of proof required to overturn the initial claim. Something rebuttable, therefore, lacks absolute certainty or invulnerability to criticism.

Rebuttable meaning with examples

• The prosecution presented a circumstantial case, but the defense argued that the evidence was entirely rebuttable. They presented alibis and alternative explanations, hoping to cast doubt on the initial claims made. This approach aimed to challenge the state's claims and raise reasonable doubt regarding the defendant's guilt, pushing to weaken their standing and challenge the presumptions made.
• In academic research, a hypothesis is considered rebuttable, meaning it can be proven incorrect by experimental data. Scientists design experiments specifically to test these hypotheses, and the failure of the experiment to support it is often a positive thing and can lead to new discoveries and improved understanding of a phenomena. This process of proposing, testing, and potentially disproving claims is central to scientific progress.
• The initial assessment of the project's success was rebuttable, as critics quickly pointed out flaws in the methodology. They presented contrasting metrics and alternative analyses which showed that the project had a weak, but not entirely negative impact. These opposing viewpoints highlighted the limitations of the initial conclusions, demonstrating the value of further examination, and providing alternate perspectives on the data.
• While the general agreement held that the suspect had motive, the claim was entirely rebuttable by new information regarding their location. Security footage surfaced proving the individual's location, making their connection to the crime highly unlikely. This new evidence served to dismantle the initial presumption, presenting a more credible alternative narrative to the previously presented account.