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 Social media’s doctors are suddenly anxious to debunk the gospel of looksmaxxers. — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026 Another myth that was debunked is that post-holiday sales increase in January. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 13 July 2026 Point by point, O’Donnell debunks the arguments in A Sudden Flicker of Light, David Thomson’s new book about how cinema has harmed society. — Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026 As the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie’s mom, Nancy continues, into its fifth month, the FBI has reportedly debunked what was thought to be one of the case’s most promising leads. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for debunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debunk
  1. refute
  2. expose
  3. disprove
  4. uncover
  5. discredit
Verb
  • This timeline refutes the notion that classifying obesity as a disease is driven by commercial interests by drugmakers.
    — Torie Bosch, STAT, 18 July 2026
  • That would have dedicated more than a tenth of the NIH’s annual budget to investigating a hypothesis already refuted by scientists worldwide.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Definition of refute
Verb
  • On the earnings call, CFO Kate Ferry said Burberry was less exposed to direct business impacts from conflict in the Middle East than some competitors, noting that the region comprises only 2% of its business.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 17 July 2026
  • Engineers believe exposing robots to everyday activities such as cooking will accelerate their development for applications beyond manufacturing, including hospitality, retail, healthcare, and domestic assistance.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026
Definition of expose
Verb
  • Leppanen recounted that a colleague told her that the pouches dissolved even though the information that disproved this was available online.
    — Matthew Chapman, STAT, 14 July 2026
  • This left open the question of whether more complex, loopy geometries would behave differently, while also leaving competing historical theories yet to be disproved.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026
Definition of disprove
Verb
  • While Deliverance follows more or less in the footsteps of Blackwater Park, Damnation digs into a strange new realm for the band, uncovering something even darker.
    — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 19 July 2026
  • Aviator’s Restaurant at Sacramento Executive Airport remains closed six months after a routine kitchen floor repair uncovered crumbling concrete, corroded rebar, asbestos and mold.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of uncover
Verb
  • He was barred from challenging Putin in 2024 and was declared a foreign agent last week, a designation that the Kremlin often uses to discredit its opponents.
    — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 17 July 2026
  • Speculation of Israeli effort to discredit Khan The allegations against Khan came at a moment of intense scrutiny of the ICC.
    — Christiane Amanpour, CNN Money, 16 July 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 21 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of debunk for Spanish Speakers

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