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
Health and Human Services officials said the study did not refute claims from other researchers.
—
O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 16 Jan. 2026
But even Kerr, who as of last week still said Kuminga’s return to the lineup was a possibility, has admitted that Kuminga’s departure is likely, but refuted claims that he and Kuminga’s relationship has become frayed.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
Lyma Life refuted the ASA’s ruling.
—Brennan Kilbane, Allure, 15 Jan. 2026
In early 2023, Lachlan pleaded with Liz to issue a statement refuting a Financial Times article that said James would force him out upon Rupert’s death.
—Gabriel Sherman, Vanity Fair, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refute
O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 16 Jan. 2026
But even Kerr, who as of last week still said Kuminga’s return to the lineup was a possibility, has admitted that Kuminga’s departure is likely, but refuted claims that he and Kuminga’s relationship has become frayed.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
Lyma Life refuted the ASA’s ruling.
—Brennan Kilbane, Allure, 15 Jan. 2026
In early 2023, Lachlan pleaded with Liz to issue a statement refuting a Financial Times article that said James would force him out upon Rupert’s death.
—Gabriel Sherman, Vanity Fair, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refute
Verb
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Protestors who were not arrested denied that any vandalism took place.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
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McGillivray typically finds success in the paint with mid-range jumpers, but the Oaks Christian defense denied her for most of the game.—
Dan Rios,
Daily News,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Supporters of Pahlavi were particularly vocal in Mashhad this month, as attested by the prevalence of pro-monarchy graffiti on city walls, and the regime’s propaganda devoted particular attention to discrediting the former crown prince.—
Davood Moradian,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
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Mayers said one lawful action should not be used to discredit another lawful action.—
Steve Karnowski,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Supervisors Shanti Landon, Anthony DeMattei and Suzanne Jones made up the three votes rejecting the loan.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Kaiser flatly rejects the notion that the strike is about anything other than reimbursement.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Attorney General Letitia James will not seek charges against two officers who shot a fleeing armed man in Brooklyn in 2024, after her office issued a report saying a prosecutor wouldn’t be able to disprove a justification defense beyond a reasonable doubt.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Throughout the show's 296 episodes, a pair of special effects experts and their staff work to prove or disprove the common myths that haunt our everyday lives.—
Ilana Gordon,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The footage contradicts the federal government’s account of the fatal shooting.—
Ernesto Londoño Catie Edmondson Ashley Wu Peter Baker,
New York Times,
27 Jan. 2026
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Some of the claims by Bovino and other officials were contradicted by witnesses and video from the scene.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Marine Le Pen faces potential disqualification from the 2027 presidential election after a March 2025 conviction for embezzling EU funds—a 5-year ban from public office unless overturned on appeal.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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The cardboard struck a Ford pickup when the big rig overturned.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In an extraordinary video rebutting the charges, Powell said the DOJ’s action was a pretext.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
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Mensah will have the chance to try to rebut Duke’s arguments.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Glenn and Engstrand had been discussing his role for several days before deciding to move on.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
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The status conference in New York City — to discuss how the case would move forward to trial — was abruptly canceled on Tuesday and a new date was not set.—
Beril Akman,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refute. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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