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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debunk
If this is the true face of the AI industry—a technological triumphalism that sees human thought as an inefficiency to overcome and human distinctiveness as a myth to debunk—the differences between the Church and Silicon Valley may prove irreconcilable.
—
Elias Wachtel, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026
Her daughter, Pallas, who co-manages Birchbark, says that the books lining the store’s shelves debunk the misconceptions that Native literature is stuck in the past or focused solely on hardship.
—Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
After Kennedy defended his fringe view, Senator Bill Cassidy fact-checked and debunked Kennedy’s denialist arguments in real time.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026
Though repeatedly debunked, these ideas were widening the distance between citizens.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debunk
Elias Wachtel, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026
Her daughter, Pallas, who co-manages Birchbark, says that the books lining the store’s shelves debunk the misconceptions that Native literature is stuck in the past or focused solely on hardship.
—Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
After Kennedy defended his fringe view, Senator Bill Cassidy fact-checked and debunked Kennedy’s denialist arguments in real time.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026
Though repeatedly debunked, these ideas were widening the distance between citizens.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debunk
Verb
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Even after Charles delivered an address to Congress that implicitly refuted some core tenets of Trumpism—there was an ode to limits on executive power, a defense of NATO and Ukraine, a rousing call to protect the natural world—Trump raved about it ahead of the state dinner that night.—
Aidan McLaughlin,
Vanity Fair,
30 Apr. 2026
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The Department of Homeland Security has refuted claims of inhumane treatment.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The basketball star arrived at the gala in a blush pink dress, with one shoulder exposed and the other covered by a sleeve, complete with a train.—
Dalila Muata,
NBC news,
5 May 2026
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South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Diseases, meanwhile, was conducting contact tracing in the Johannesburg region to identify if other people in South Africa were exposed to the infected cruise ship passengers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
Verb
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In September 2024, Judge Delia Trevino dismissed the murder count, finding that prosecutors had failed to clearly establish the fatal shot came from Henderson’s gun, let alone disprove a self-defense theory.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
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But Lucas, known for making false confessions, later retracted his claim, and other evidence disproved his connection to the murder.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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No remains were uncovered, but a month later, both Flores men were arrested and charged in connection with Smart’s murder.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
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Normally, boundaries are redrawn every 10 years to reflect population changes uncovered in the decennial census.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
9 May 2026
Verb
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But whereas leftist thinkers starting with Marx saw the liberal ideal as totally discredited, a mere camouflage for capitalist power, Habermas kept faith with the utopian potential of liberalism.—
Adam Kirsch,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
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The apparent goal is to discredit accusers in public — then circulate the smears to their social circles — as well as demoralize adversaries amid legal disputes, forcing quiet settlements on preferred terms.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debunk. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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