rebuttal

noun

re·​but·​tal ri-ˈbə-tᵊl 

: the act of rebutting especially in a legal suit

also : argument or proof that rebuts

Synonyms of rebuttal

• refutation

Examples of rebuttal in a Sentence

an effective rebuttal to her claim of having the gift of clairvoyance

Recent Examples on the Web

Americans for Tax Reform organized a lengthy and aggressive rebuttal with comments from scores of conservatives in opposition. — ABC News, 14 July 2026

Sawala has submitted his rebuttal for its own peer review, and the preprint is already making rounds in the cosmology community. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 9 July 2026

In rebuttal, Lamin dismissed the defense’s theory that Parker had simply been unlucky. — Tyler Quattrin, Twin Cities, 6 July 2026

For years, Vladimir Putin has had a convincing rebuttal to anyone who thought Western sanctions would bring his country to its knees. — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 2 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rebuttal

• cuttle
• scuttle
• shtetl
• shuttle
• subtle
• suttle

Kids Definition

rebuttal

noun

re·​but·​tal ri-ˈbət-ᵊl 

: the act of rebutting

also : argument or proof that rebuts

Legal Definition

rebuttal

noun

re·​but·​tal ri-ˈbət-ᵊl 

: the act or procedure of rebutting

also : evidence or argument that rebuts