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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of debunked
Though the original clip is authentic, showing seven dogs wandering down the side of a highway in northeastern Jilin province, Chinese state media has since debunked the narrative of their escape and journey home.
—
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
What Actually Happened CNN and Chinese state media debunked the key claims.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
What Actually Happened, According to Reporting CNN and Chinese state media investigated — and debunked the key claims.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Similar claims raised in other states by individuals without election administration experience have been thoroughly reviewed and debunked.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
No dating advice has ever debunked the delusions of straight, single women quite so swiftly.
—Olivia Petter, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2026
Some remedies for allergy relief that have been circulating on social media or suggested by celebrities — like incorporating local honey into your diet to expose yourself to pollen — have been debunked.
—Kenya Hunter, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Many also share his belief that autism can be caused by vaccines - a belief that has been thoroughly debunked.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
It was often thought that Garcia played Tiger at his final show, before his death in August 1995, but that has recently been debunked.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2026
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
What Actually Happened CNN and Chinese state media debunked the key claims.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
What Actually Happened, According to Reporting CNN and Chinese state media investigated — and debunked the key claims.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Similar claims raised in other states by individuals without election administration experience have been thoroughly reviewed and debunked.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
No dating advice has ever debunked the delusions of straight, single women quite so swiftly.
—Olivia Petter, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2026
Some remedies for allergy relief that have been circulating on social media or suggested by celebrities — like incorporating local honey into your diet to expose yourself to pollen — have been debunked.
—Kenya Hunter, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Many also share his belief that autism can be caused by vaccines - a belief that has been thoroughly debunked.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
It was often thought that Garcia played Tiger at his final show, before his death in August 1995, but that has recently been debunked.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debunked
Verb
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The investigation is based on debunked fraud claims, as local election officials have already refuted the allegations of discrepancies by explaining that the citizens group’s analysis relied on incomplete data.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
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Jones, who lived in San Francisco for years before moving to Napa, refuted the insinuation of carpetbagging.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, mold reactions depend on the type of mold, amount of mold and the person exposed.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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Symptoms of chickenpox typically appear between 10 and 21 days after being exposed to the virus.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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What makes the case even more interesting is what investigators uncovered next.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
30 Mar. 2026
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Over the years, federal authorities have uncovered lucrative businesses that charge tens of thousands of dollars for birth tourism services.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debunked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debunked. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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