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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debunked
This was unbelievable at the time, and has now been debunked by the latest files.
—
Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
His rigged election claims have been thoroughly debunked over and over again, ad nauseam.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2026
Trump’s election comment came in an interview Monday with a conservative podcaster and the Republican president reaffirmed his position in Oval Office remarks the next day, citing fraud allegations that numerous audits, investigations and courts have debunked.
—Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The ‘new manager bounce’ might have been debunked, but both men are doing their best to keep the myth alive.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Video footage has repeatedly debunked official accounts.
—Binaifer Nowrojee, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
Information often spreads online faster than it can be verified, and can continue to proliferate even after being debunked.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 29 Jan. 2026
Hyman debunked the myth that drinking can be good for heart health.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Former Georgia Republican Party official Marci McCarthy, who pushed debunked claims about the state's voting machines, is the director of public affairs for CISA, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
—Stephen Fowler, NPR, 23 Jan. 2026
Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
His rigged election claims have been thoroughly debunked over and over again, ad nauseam.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2026
Trump’s election comment came in an interview Monday with a conservative podcaster and the Republican president reaffirmed his position in Oval Office remarks the next day, citing fraud allegations that numerous audits, investigations and courts have debunked.
—Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The ‘new manager bounce’ might have been debunked, but both men are doing their best to keep the myth alive.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Video footage has repeatedly debunked official accounts.
—Binaifer Nowrojee, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
Information often spreads online faster than it can be verified, and can continue to proliferate even after being debunked.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 29 Jan. 2026
Hyman debunked the myth that drinking can be good for heart health.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Former Georgia Republican Party official Marci McCarthy, who pushed debunked claims about the state's voting machines, is the director of public affairs for CISA, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
—Stephen Fowler, NPR, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debunked
Verb
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At that point, the labor group accused the WGA West of unfair labor practices and negotiating in bad faith, allegations that the WGA West refuted.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Feb. 2026
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The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office spokesman refuted that, however.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And so the city was exposed to future hurricanes, and lost the living guardians whose roots held the land in place.—
Melina Walling,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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And how much angst could I have been spared if I’d been exposed to some of these ideas slightly earlier?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Security researchers have uncovered a malicious Chrome and Edge extension called NexShield that pretends to be a fast, privacy-friendly ad blocker.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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An unannounced test of NASA's towering Space Launch System rocket uncovered another issue with the vehicle meant to soon launch astronauts on a mission around the moon.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debunked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debunked. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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