1. of or relating to elenchus; refuting an argument by drawing out its logical contradictions
Usage: formal; philosophy

Examples

• Socrates employed an elenctic method to expose the contradictions in his interlocutors' beliefs.
• The elenctic approach involves questioning assumptions until logical inconsistencies emerge.
• Her elenctic argument systematically dismantled the opposing position by revealing its internal contradictions.
• The philosopher used elenctic dialogue to guide students toward truth through critical examination.