The accused denied having committed the crime but could advance no sound arguments to . . . . . . . the charges.

refuse
repress
refute
reproof

The correct answer is C. refute.

To refute is to prove something to be wrong or false. In this case, the accused denied having committed the crime, but they could not provide any evidence to support their claim. This means that the prosecution’s case against them was strong, and the accused was found guilty.

The other options are incorrect because they do not mean to prove something to be wrong or false.

  • To refuse means to decline to do something.
  • To repress means to suppress or control something.
  • To reproof means to scold or criticize someone.