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

Sustained high performance by firms that treat customer value as primary remains the strongest empirical rebuttal. — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

In a separate rebuttal to the committee's report, lawyers for the congressman said the panel had failed to demonstrate that the staffers expressed their discomfort to Edwards. — Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026

That story, which includes rebuttals from Lawrence, did not indicate Holscher was referencing Kelly’s divorce. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026

Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco kicked off Thursday’s press conference with a strongly fiery rebuttal of the cut as well as a promise to challenge it in the courts. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 23 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