rebuttal

noun

re·​but·​tal ri-ˈbə-tᵊl How to pronounce rebuttal (audio)
: the act of rebutting especially in a legal suit
also : argument or proof that rebuts

Examples of rebuttal in a Sentence

an effective rebuttal to her claim of having the gift of clairvoyance
Recent Examples on the Web In the coming days, the DOJ will present its rebuttal to Google's arguments. Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 14 Nov. 2023 This drew a rebuttal from Marc Rowan, Chief Executive Officer of Apollo Global Management, on a later panel. Elaine Yu, WSJ, 8 Nov. 2023 For artists who speak out against merch cuts, the most common rebuttal is to simply play different venues. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 1 Nov. 2023 At a moment when the Western news media, and some major Arab outlets, were full of reports about the many civilians who were slaughtered, and Israeli officials were likening Hamas to ISIS, the footage was apparently Hamas’s rebuttal. David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2023 On the same day that the FTC filed its 172-page complaint against Amazon, the company issued a rebuttal. Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Oct. 2023 In early May, Dr. Hamlin and Dr. Ramshaw wrote up their concerns about the lutetium hydride data and sent them to Nature. Without revealing the identities of Dr. Hamlin and Dr. Ramshaw, the concerns were sent to Dr. Dias, and at the end of May, Dr. Dias and Dr. Salamat sent back their rebuttal. Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2023 The Justice Department issued a lengthy rebuttal to Abbott’s contention last week about the breadth of states’ self-defense powers. Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, 21 Aug. 2023 Don’t look for President Biden to deliver a major rebuttal to Wednesday's first GOP debate in Wisconsin. By ken Thomas, WSJ, 24 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rebuttal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rebuttal was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near rebuttal

Cite this Entry

“Rebuttal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebuttal. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

rebuttal

noun
re·​but·​tal ri-ˈbət-ᵊl How to pronounce rebuttal (audio)
: the act of rebutting
also : argument or proof that rebuts

Legal Definition

rebuttal

noun
re·​but·​tal ri-ˈbət-ᵊl How to pronounce rebuttal (audio)
: the act or procedure of rebutting
also : evidence or argument that rebuts

More from Merriam-Webster on rebuttal

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