debunk

verb

(ˌ)dē-ˈbəŋk How to pronounce debunk (audio)
Definition of debunknext
1
as in to refute
to prove to be false a Web site that assiduously debunks urban legends

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of debunk The record amount of equity in the sale debunks the notion that NFL rules might put a lid on how much a franchise could fetch. — Michael Ozanian, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026 The doc debunks his claim that people will be able to live on the red planet in a self-sustaining city in 20 years. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026 Ironically, a similar claim was also made concerning Knight and Shakur; however, Davis’ admissions and conviction ultimately debunk that theory. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 2 Sep. 2026 There are also unfounded theories about its consequences, which Doricko has spent time on social media trying to debunk. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for debunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debunk
  1. refute
  2. expose
  3. disprove
  4. uncover
  5. discredit
Verb
  • According to the Public Defender's Office, officers falsely claimed that Gibson had assaulted them by biting, punching, and wrapping a radio cord around an officer's neck, claims later refuted by video evidence.
    — Senior Editor, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • While refuting any suggestion of police repression, Lecornu condemned violence on the margins of protests, which were mostly peaceful Tuesday, despite the dramatic scenes that dominated coverage.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of refute
Verb
  • One thing that the company promotes are summits on different teams, so you can get exposed to different areas of the business, which is a great opportunity to upskill yourself and then share your learnings and knowledge with other people.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The breach has prompted a global investigation, with experts warning that information about agents and their families could expose them to extortion, swatting and other harassment.
    — Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of expose
Verb
  • His injuries acquire a spiritual significance that a scan can neither confirm nor disprove.
    — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Prosecution focused on affair, alleged intruder The prosecution focused its case on Flynn’s secret affair and disproving his claim that an intruder broke into their home.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of disprove
Verb
  • Gowanus is hardly the only postindustrial New York neighborhood rife with toxic waste — in Williamsburg and Greenpoint, the extent of toxic contamination is still being uncovered and mitigated in an ad hoc fashion.
    — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Since then, the 16-foot-by-32-foot church has been reconstructed, after archaeologists in 2021 uncovered the church’s original foundation, as well as 62 graves linked to the congregation.
    — Nancy Jiang, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of uncover
Verb
  • Its inclusion in the documentary has provided ammunition for Musk supporters and his lawyers to discredit the film, pointing to an unfounded conspiracy theory about SpaceX’s Starlink satellites interfering in the election.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Milli Vanilli won a Grammy, got all this attention and then got discredited and didn’t replace Barbra Streisand or Bruce Springsteen or Taylor Swift or the Eurythmics or The Rolling Stones.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of discredit

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debugs
debunk
debunked
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Cite this Entry

“Debunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debunk. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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