rebut

1 to drive back Stalingrad's defenders were finally able to rebut the besiegers, but only after a horrendous loss of life Synonyms beat off, fend (off), repel, repulse, stave off, turn away, turn backRelated Words defy, fight, hold off, oppose, resist, stand off, withstand; deflect, ward (off); rebuff, snub, spurnNear Antonyms embrace, hail, welcome

2 to prove to be false Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe effectively rebutted any lingering notions that the earth is flat Synonyms belie, confound, confute, debunk, disconfirm, discredit, falsify, disprove, refute, shoot downRelated Words overthrow, overturn; challenge, contest, query, question; doubt, mistrust; debate, discuss, hash (over), moot, talk overNear Antonyms document, evidence, evince, record, show, support, witness; back (up), buttress, corroborate, substantiate; adduce, attest, authenticate, certify, identify; demonstrate, display, illustrate, manifestAntonyms confirm, establish, prove, validate, verify