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

That’s a potentially troubling sign for the Royals when the team captain offers a rebuttal on social media to something said by the manager. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2026

Meanwhile, Livesey’s arguments have been met with respectful—and, to this amateur reader, persuasive—rebuttals by several fellow-scholars, most formidably by Fredriksen and Walsh. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026

Dabaie said the campaign had an ongoing investigation but reiterated Swalwell’s rebuttal of the accusations. —Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026

For any politician unwilling or unable to persuade the public with facts and strong rebuttals, attacking the messenger becomes the path of least resistance. —Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 9 Apr. 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