1
as in to refute
to prove to be false
a Web site that assiduously debunks urban legends
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to expose
to reveal the true nature of
the investigative reporter easily debunked the charlatan's claims of clairvoyance
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debunk
What’s more in overturning Thompson’s theory, the team also debunked another widespread misconception.
—
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
Kennedy has promised that, with a report assembled in a few short months, HHS will soon end the years-long debate on the drivers of autism—which Kennedy has repeatedly and baselessly linked to vaccines, despite decades of evidence debunking that claim.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
However, at the time, his campaign's senior adviser, Jason Miller, shared a tweet seemingly debunking the rumors.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Swift appeared to debunk the Gaylor theory in 2023, within the notes of 1989 (Taylor’s Version).
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debunk
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
Kennedy has promised that, with a report assembled in a few short months, HHS will soon end the years-long debate on the drivers of autism—which Kennedy has repeatedly and baselessly linked to vaccines, despite decades of evidence debunking that claim.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
However, at the time, his campaign's senior adviser, Jason Miller, shared a tweet seemingly debunking the rumors.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Swift appeared to debunk the Gaylor theory in 2023, within the notes of 1989 (Taylor’s Version).
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debunk
Verb
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That backup has since grown into a hundreds-strong campaign to refute the DHS allegations, which supporters call a resurgence of anti-Muslim fearmongering that has persisted across party lines since the 9/11 attacks 24 years ago this month.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
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Days after the hearing, the leader of the Pentagon's office to investigate UFOs provided testimony of his own refuting some of the claims.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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With just 24 hours to decide the fate of the house, old resentments bubble up, secrets are exposed and shifting alliances test whatever bonds remain.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
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Cherry persuades Harriet to publicly expose Laura, to talk to journalists and manufacture a viral story.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Tootles’ death disproves this, showing that a hybrid being can die under extreme circumstances.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
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Needs teeth Reforms are being reversed not because data disproves the need, but because the politics now allow retreat.—
Hansel Alejandro Aguilar,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Barr confirms unreleased Epstein footage Barr confirmed that searches of Epstein’s Manhattan mansion, and possibly his island and New Mexico home, had uncovered cameras and recording systems.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
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After years of demanding better pay and protections from individual farmers and buyers, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers — the anti-trafficking organization that uncovered the first examples of abuse in the massive federal case — launched the Fair Food Program in 2010.—
Max Blau,
ProPublica,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Holmes likewise discredited the MS-13 accusation, for which prosecutors relied on the testimony of coöperating witnesses who either contradicted one another or were otherwise unreliable.—
Cristian Farias,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
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The Cordell report has since been discredited — missing transcripts, factual errors and even confusion of key witnesses.—
Matthew J. Frauenfeld,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debunk. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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