rebut

re·but

verb \ri-ˈbət\

re·but·tedre·but·ting

Definition of REBUT

transitive verb

1

: to drive or beat back : repel

2

a : to contradict or oppose by formal legal argument, plea, or countervailing proof

b : to expose the falsity of : refute

intransitive verb

: to make or furnish an answer or counter proof

— re·but·ta·ble \-ˈbə-tə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of REBUT

1. Her lawyer attempted to rebut the witness's testimony.
2. <Stalingrad's defenders were finally able to rebut the besiegers, but only after a horrendous loss of life.>

Origin of REBUT

Middle English, from Anglo-French reboter, from re- + boter to butt — more at butt

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to REBUT

Synonyms

beat off, fend (off), repel, repulse, stave off, turn away, turn back

Antonyms

confirm, establish, prove, validate, verify

Related Words

defy, fight, hold off, oppose, resist, stand off, withstand; deflect, ward (off); rebuff, snub, spurn

Near Antonyms

embrace, hail, welcome

Rhymes with REBUT

abut, all but, beechnut, blind gut, brush cut, buzz cut, catgut, chestnut, clean-cut, clear-cut, cobnut, cockshut, crew cut, crosscut, doughnut, foregut, groundnut, haircut, jump cut, kick butt, locknut, Meerut, midgut, offcut, peanut, pignut, pine nut, putt-putt, recut, rotgut, rough cut, sackbut, shortcut, somewhat, tut-tut, uncut, walnut, wing nut, woodcut