1
as in refuted
to prove to be false
a Web site that assiduously debunks urban legends
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exposed
to reveal the true nature of
the investigative reporter easily debunked the charlatan's claims of clairvoyance
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Recent Examples of debunked
With those rumors essentially being debunked, now comes word that WWE is actually planning a blockbuster change for the former World Heavyweight Champion.
—
Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Donut Lab’s solid-state battery claims have been thoroughly debunked by Ryan Inis Hughes on his popular Ziroth YouTube channel.
—Thomas Ricker, The Verge, 9 June 2026
Locals believed the city’s cool, foggy climate nurtured a unique strain of wild yeast—a theory since debunked.
—Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026
While police later debunked this theory, this brazen claim altered the reputation of the accused and resulted in a lawsuit against the armchair detective who made the false statement.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 June 2026
Her description of the deceased Alex Pretti brandishing a gun that threatened the lives of Border Patrol officers was quickly debunked, with several videos showing how he was killed despite posing no threat.
—Sheldon Jacobson, Twin Cities, 2 June 2026
Those rumors were promptly debunked, however.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 29 May 2026
Now, the Chinese team debunked those beliefs after spotting tiny organisms living on rocky surfaces across multiple Pacific trenches.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
Iranian media debunked the images, saying Vahidi did not meet the Pakistani official, and that the picture dates back to 2024.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Donut Lab’s solid-state battery claims have been thoroughly debunked by Ryan Inis Hughes on his popular Ziroth YouTube channel.
—Thomas Ricker, The Verge, 9 June 2026
Locals believed the city’s cool, foggy climate nurtured a unique strain of wild yeast—a theory since debunked.
—Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026
While police later debunked this theory, this brazen claim altered the reputation of the accused and resulted in a lawsuit against the armchair detective who made the false statement.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 June 2026
Her description of the deceased Alex Pretti brandishing a gun that threatened the lives of Border Patrol officers was quickly debunked, with several videos showing how he was killed despite posing no threat.
—Sheldon Jacobson, Twin Cities, 2 June 2026
Those rumors were promptly debunked, however.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 29 May 2026
Now, the Chinese team debunked those beliefs after spotting tiny organisms living on rocky surfaces across multiple Pacific trenches.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
Iranian media debunked the images, saying Vahidi did not meet the Pakistani official, and that the picture dates back to 2024.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debunked
Verb
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After her daughter's murder, Franchetti began a grassroots movement to rewrite family court law, but the legislation was held up by legal language that might have greenlighted hearsay allegations or the potential for false claims that couldn't be refuted.—
Jennifer McLogan,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
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That same year, Patricia Richardson refuted the possibility of returning to the characters while appearing on the Back to the Best podcast.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
Verb
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In 2018, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, an investigative journalist famous for wearing a beaded mask to hide his identity, exposed just how deep Ghana’s football problems ran by releasing a documentary that was screened at cinemas and theatres across the country.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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The fabric is also UPF 50+, perfect for protecting your skin when exposed to the sun for extended periods, such as when doing lawn work or golfing.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Workers repairing a ha-ha, a ditch traditionally used to contain livestock without interrupting the view across an estate, uncovered a tunnel entrance, along with Tudor-era artifacts including pottery, bones, and glass bottles.—
Anne Doran,
ARTnews.com,
15 June 2026
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In the process of turning the house into a museum, countless artifacts, photos, and personal ephemera were uncovered, painting a vivid picture of the artist’s life at home.—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debunked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debunked. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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