1
as in to deny
to declare not to be true
while he was publicly refuting rumors of a merger, behind the scenes the CEO was working to effect that very outcome
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to discredit
to prove to be false
the victories of African-American athlete Jesse Owens in the 1936 Olympics effectively refuted the racial views of the Nazis
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Recent Examples of refute
This was later refuted by a group of climate scientists.
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Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 28 Dec. 2025
However, both refuted talk of their differing opinions causing the fracture.
—Daniela Avila, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 2025
Those allegations were never refuted by the administration.
—Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2025
JPMorgan Chase also refuted the claims.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refute
Verb
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He was charged with first-degree murder but denied any involvement.—
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Squeeze Burger announced Tuesday that its sole remaining brick-and-mortar in Roseville is set to close later this month, after its proposal for a new lease was reportedly denied.—
Verb
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In this case, focusing on a dress versus the altruistic work Turner is doing feels like an attempt to discredit that very noble work.—
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Continue reading … ‘COMPLETELY FAILED’ – CNN mocked for ‘effort to discredit’ Minnesota daycare fraud reporting.—
Verb
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Bonta rejected the allegations as unsubstantiated and said the states were targeted solely because of their political leadership.—
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For at least the third time in just over a year, Humphrey has rejected most serious charges against rule-breaking cops.—
Verb
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In the email, Epstein instructed Maxwell to offer a reward to anyone who could help disprove Giuffre’s allegation.—
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Notions had persisted that Brahe was poisoned to death with mercury, but later analyses of his bones and teeth disproved the idea.—
Verb
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Rusev pointed to his own match history in AEW as evidence contradicting the rumors.—
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The research had significant limitations, was not designed to be able to prove cause and effect, and contradicts previous studies that indicated positives for heart health.—
Verb
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Lawyers also argued the conviction should be overturned because the verdict was tainted by the media attention and due to faulty instructions to the jury.—
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In 2005, Yates’ conviction was overturned by the Texas Court of Appeals.—
Verb
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City and police spokespeople on Wednesday declined to rebut Abbott, instead pointing back to the city’s earlier statement that AT&T’s decision was a change in corporate preference rather than an indictment of Dallas.—
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In Cruz’s hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee‘s subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights, ranking member Sheldon Whitehouse rebutted many of Cruz’s points.—
Verb
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In response to questions from The Sacramento Bee, representatives from the governor’s office did not address any of the proposals lawmakers have been discussing.—
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Before the closed-door session on Wednesday, board members publicly discussed approving, funding, and conducting an investigation into Bulson and any other board member who was potentially involved in the April 2024 incident.—
Cite this Entry
“Refute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refute. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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