rebut

verb

re·​but ri-ˈbət How to pronounce rebut (audio)
rebutted; rebutting

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
rebuttable adjective

Did you know?

The -but in rebut once meant basically "butt", so rebut's original meanings were "to drive or beat back" and "to attack with violent language". Rebuttals can still be rather violent, as anyone who has watched some heated moments in a presidential debate can testify. The word is often used by lawyers, since the lawyer for the accused or for the party being sued almost always tries to rebut the charges against his or her client; but it's also used in plenty of contexts outside the courtroom.

Examples of rebut in a Sentence

Her lawyer attempted to rebut the witness's testimony. Stalingrad's defenders were finally able to rebut the besiegers, but only after a horrendous loss of life.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The association’s statement rebutted that assertion. Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 4 July 2025 On Tuesday, Kessler rebutted that claim, saying there was no conspiracy by the teams and that boycotting a meeting is merely part of the negotiating process. Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 18 June 2025 White House spokesperson Alex Pfeiffer rebutted the suggestion that the moves indicate that the U.S. has joined the war. Callum Sutherland, Time, 17 June 2025 The White House has insisted the bill will pay for itself – and has rapidly accelerated its messaging efforts to rebut any analysis that says otherwise to mollify fiscal hawks on Capitol Hill. Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for rebut

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French reboter, from re- + boter to butt — more at butt entry 3

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rebut was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rebut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebut. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

rebut

verb
re·​but ri-ˈbət How to pronounce rebut (audio)
rebutted; rebutting
1
: to oppose by argument
2
: to prove to be wrong especially by argument or by proof that the opposite is true

Legal Definition

rebut

transitive verb
re·​but ri-ˈbət How to pronounce rebut (audio)
rebutted; rebutting
: to refute, counteract, or disprove (as opposing evidence) by evidence or argument
rebut damaging testimony
rebut a presumption
rebuttable adjective
rebuttably adverb
Etymology

Anglo-French reboter, rebuter to answer a charge, bar from an action, literally, to repulse, rebuff, from Old French reboter, from re- back + boter to push, butt

More from Merriam-Webster on rebut

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