区别辨析contradict、deny、oppose与refute

这些动词都含“否定、否认”,“反驳、反对”之意。

contradict : 指肯定地否认、反对或反驳某事,坚持相反的意见。

  • If you're both going to lie, at least stick to the same story and don't contradict each other!
    如果你们俩都要撒谎,至少也要口径一致,不要互相矛盾!
  • He kept contradicting himself when we were arguing - I think he was a bit confused.
    我们争论时他一直自相矛盾——我想他有点糊涂了。
  • How dare you contradict (me)!
    你怎么敢顶撞我!
  • Recent evidence has contradicted established theories on this subject.
    关于这一问题,最近发现的证据与已有理论相抵触。

deny : 普通用词,侧重否认意见或言论的真实性,尤指否定他人的指控或责难。

  • He will not confirm or deny the allegations.
    对那些指控他将不置可否。
  • Neil denies that he broke the window, but I'm sure he did.
    尼尔不承认是他打破了窗户,但我敢肯定是他干的。
  • Neil denies breaking the window.
    尼尔不承认是他打破了窗户。

oppose : 普通的广泛用词。指不作争论或不提出论据而无理由地反对;也指任何温和、有理由的反对或否定。

  • The proposed new testing system has been vigorously opposed by teachers.
    实行新考试制度的提议遭到了教师们的强烈反对。
  • Most of the local residents opposed the closing of the school.
    当地大多数居民反对关闭这所学校。
  •  I would certainly oppose changing the system.
    我当然会反对改变这一制度。

refute : 语气较强,强调凭推理或证据驳斥一项主张或言论。

  • to refute a person/theory/argument/claim
    驳斥一个人/理论/论点/说法
  • She refutes any suggestion that she behaved unprofessionally.
    谁要是表示她不在行,她都予以反驳。
  • It was the kind of rumour that it is impossible to refute.
    这是那种让人根本没法批驳的谣言。
  • Isabelle is quick to refute any suggestion of intellectual snobbery.
    伊莎贝尔对于任何关于她恃才傲物的暗示都迅速予以否认。