1
as in refuting
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 exposing
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 debunking
Accusations of false achievements on high mountains have existed for more than a century, and in almost every case, photographs have played an instrumental role in confirming or debunking the achievement.
—
Owen Clarke, Outside, 30 Oct. 2025
There is a long, long, long list of fact-checks debunking various false claims about the moon landings, which marked perhaps the biggest milestone to date in human scientific and technological achievement.
—Adam Carlson, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The rest of Swift’s time on the show was spent breaking down songs, debunking rumors, and gushing about Travis Kelce.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2025
The podcast also won’t just be about debunking the junk; there will be episodes highlighting the good stuff in wellness too.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 2 Oct. 2025
The contributions to this site are made exclusively by university faculty and other academics with an emphasis on debunking common myths associated with growing plants.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
It's been almost 19 months since Sebastian Rogers was last seen at his Hendersonville home, and the FBI is debunking rumors in the case.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Sep. 2025
Kennedy has promised that, with a report assembled in a few short months, HHS will soon end the years-long debate on the drivers of autism—which Kennedy has repeatedly and baselessly linked to vaccines, despite decades of evidence debunking that claim.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
However, at the time, his campaign's senior adviser, Jason Miller, shared a tweet seemingly debunking the rumors.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Owen Clarke, Outside, 30 Oct. 2025
There is a long, long, long list of fact-checks debunking various false claims about the moon landings, which marked perhaps the biggest milestone to date in human scientific and technological achievement.
—Adam Carlson, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The rest of Swift’s time on the show was spent breaking down songs, debunking rumors, and gushing about Travis Kelce.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2025
The podcast also won’t just be about debunking the junk; there will be episodes highlighting the good stuff in wellness too.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 2 Oct. 2025
The contributions to this site are made exclusively by university faculty and other academics with an emphasis on debunking common myths associated with growing plants.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
It's been almost 19 months since Sebastian Rogers was last seen at his Hendersonville home, and the FBI is debunking rumors in the case.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Sep. 2025
Kennedy has promised that, with a report assembled in a few short months, HHS will soon end the years-long debate on the drivers of autism—which Kennedy has repeatedly and baselessly linked to vaccines, despite decades of evidence debunking that claim.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
However, at the time, his campaign's senior adviser, Jason Miller, shared a tweet seemingly debunking the rumors.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debunking
Verb
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The film spends the next hour and 50 minutes refuting that idea.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
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Michaels took to her Instagram days after the release of Fit for TV to post a series of screenshots of text chains, email threads, and other pieces of documentation refuting or otherwise complicating each claim leveled at her.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In another, criminals used synthetic voices to convince Qantas call-center staff to release internal credentials, exposing the data of 6 million customers.—
Adam Mills,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
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Letting a fever rage unchecked, on the other hand, means exposing the fetus to harmful substances produced as the mother fights off her infection.—
Veronique Greenwood,
Time,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Since then, research into the disease and its origins has expanded significantly, uncovering genetic, biochemical and environmental factors that may contribute to its onset and progression.—
The San Diego Union Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
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Elphaba, meanwhile, uncovering the Wizard and Madame Morrible's nefarious plot, defies them all — and gravity in the process — breaking out of the Emerald City on broomstick and whizzing off into sunset.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debunking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debunking. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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