debunk
verb
de·bunk
(ˌ)dē-ˈbəŋk 
debunked; debunking; debunks
: to expose the sham (see sham entry 1 sense 2) or falseness of
debunk a legend
debunker
noun
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To debunk something is to take the bunk out of it—that bunk being nonsense. (Bunk is short for the synonymous bunkum, which has political origins.) Debunk has been in use since at least the 1920s, and it contrasts with synonyms like disprove and rebut by suggesting that something is not merely untrue but is also a sham—a trick meant to deceive. One can simply disprove a myth, but if it is debunked, the implication is that the myth was a grossly exaggerated or foolish claim.
Examples of debunk in a Sentence
The article debunks the notion that life exists on Mars.
The results of the study debunk his theory.
Recent Examples on the Web
The latter myth was perpetuated for centuries and was not firmly debunked until the 17th century.
—
Big Think, 13 Oct. 2025
Norton debunked the idea that guests, who usually sip on something while being interviewed, are plied with alcohol by producers at So Television.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
The researchers said that their study debunked the misconception that drinking tea leads to osteoporosis, suggesting instead that tea can actually improve bone density.
—Lauren Manaker Ms, Verywell Health, 10 Oct. 2025
While there was a myth that lesbians don’t actually scissor, that has since been debunked.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debunk
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Big Think, 13 Oct. 2025
Norton debunked the idea that guests, who usually sip on something while being interviewed, are plied with alcohol by producers at So Television.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
The researchers said that their study debunked the misconception that drinking tea leads to osteoporosis, suggesting instead that tea can actually improve bone density.
—Lauren Manaker Ms, Verywell Health, 10 Oct. 2025
While there was a myth that lesbians don’t actually scissor, that has since been debunked.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debunk
Cite this Entry
“Debunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debunk. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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