1
as in refuting
to prove to be false
a Web site that assiduously debunks urban legends
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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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Recent Examples of debunking
Rudd's July appearance on the Take Off Your Shoes podcast circulated widely enough online that the fact-checking website Snopes even published an article that month debunking the claim that Rudd was seriously injured in the coffee-spilling incident featured on the episode.
—
Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Thankfully, Reddit came to the rescue and started debunking the theory almost right away.
—John Brandon, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Conversely, the ballot initiative's proponents have pointed to studies debunking the idea that higher taxes result in the migration of significant numbers of wealthy people and businesses.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 7 Jan. 2026
The authors have clearly considered most of the arguments against their natalist positions, and much of the book is devoted to debunking common objections to the call for more babies.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
In the first place—as every Thanksgiving-myth-debunking article notes—turkey doesn’t have a lot of tryptophan.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2025
The doc will also say its DNA analysis reveals a very high testing score for autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar, while debunking the notion that Hitler had Jewish ancestry.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025
Scrupulous scientists and science communicators shouldn’t have to spend their efforts endlessly engaging with and debunking meritless nonsense.
—Big Think, 12 Nov. 2025
As frigid temperatures engulf large swaths of the nation, auto experts are debunking a longtime myth about driving in cold weather.
—Jalen Williams, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Thankfully, Reddit came to the rescue and started debunking the theory almost right away.
—John Brandon, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Conversely, the ballot initiative's proponents have pointed to studies debunking the idea that higher taxes result in the migration of significant numbers of wealthy people and businesses.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 7 Jan. 2026
The authors have clearly considered most of the arguments against their natalist positions, and much of the book is devoted to debunking common objections to the call for more babies.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
In the first place—as every Thanksgiving-myth-debunking article notes—turkey doesn’t have a lot of tryptophan.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2025
The doc will also say its DNA analysis reveals a very high testing score for autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar, while debunking the notion that Hitler had Jewish ancestry.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025
Scrupulous scientists and science communicators shouldn’t have to spend their efforts endlessly engaging with and debunking meritless nonsense.
—Big Think, 12 Nov. 2025
As frigid temperatures engulf large swaths of the nation, auto experts are debunking a longtime myth about driving in cold weather.
—Jalen Williams, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debunking
Verb
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The plethora of fourth-quarter collapses offers refuting evidence.—
Sam McDowell
January 27,
Kansas City Star,
27 Jan. 2026
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Being true to those principles matters more than refuting a talking point from any pundit or any bulletin-board material spouted by any rival.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The 20-1 Bruins struggled against Illinois despite winning 80-67, exposing execution issues the team aims to address.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
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Curated by Simon Angel, the Sustainable Innovations section spotlighted new design principles and materials while exposing traditional designers and textile manufacturers to innovative techniques and perspectives—sparking conversation, inspiration, and opportunities for meaningful collaboration.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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With the Olympics underway in the coming weeks, Erickson shares her tips on where to eat and drink in this northern Italian region with the authority of someone who has dedicated years to uncovering its secrets.—
Laura May Todd,
Vogue,
3 Feb. 2026
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One neighbor, Jeff Lamie, recounted going through his Ring doorbell footage with police in hopes of uncovering information about the disappearance.—
Helen Rummel,
AZCentral.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debunking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debunking. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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