1. an example that disproves or refutes a general statement, rule, or hypothesis
Usage: commonly used in mathematics, logic, and science

Examples

• The student provided a counterexample to show that the teacher's claim was incorrect.
• In mathematics, a counterexample is often used to disprove a conjecture.
• A counterexample to the statement 'all birds can fly' is the penguin.
• The lawyer presented a counterexample from a previous case to challenge the prosecutor's argument.
• Finding even one counterexample is enough to invalidate a universal claim.
• The scientist used a counterexample to demonstrate that the hypothesis did not hold in all cases.