1
as in to deny
to declare not to be true
while he was publicly refuting rumors of a merger, behind the scenes the CEO was working to effect that very outcome
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to discredit
to prove to be false
the victories of African-American athlete Jesse Owens in the 1936 Olympics effectively refuted the racial views of the Nazis
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refute
Through reps, Marr refuted Mozz’s claims.
—
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
To me, debate is about forming your own arguments and pushing yourself to refute curveball counters.
—Ashanty Rosario, The Atlantic, 3 Sep. 2025
Both Kraft and Goodell have refuted the claim.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The Department of Homeland Security refuted Othmane's claims about conditions inside the ICE facility.
—Nick Mordowanec
billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refute
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
To me, debate is about forming your own arguments and pushing yourself to refute curveball counters.
—Ashanty Rosario, The Atlantic, 3 Sep. 2025
Both Kraft and Goodell have refuted the claim.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The Department of Homeland Security refuted Othmane's claims about conditions inside the ICE facility.
—Nick Mordowanec
billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refute
Verb
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Alan Jackson, a lawyer for Joaquin, denied the charges.—
Luc Cohen,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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As press secretary, Jean-Pierre repeatedly denied reports regarding Biden’s mental fitness during his time in office.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Holmes likewise discredited the MS-13 accusation, for which prosecutors relied on the testimony of coöperating witnesses who either contradicted one another or were otherwise unreliable.—
Cristian Farias,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
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The Cordell report has since been discredited — missing transcripts, factual errors and even confusion of key witnesses.—
Matthew J. Frauenfeld,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But Democrats have long conceded that the party needs a new vision after voters soundly rejected their presidential ticket last fall, and internal squabbles about the party’s future have spilled out into the public.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
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China has rejected the accusation and accused the Philippines of damaging the coral reef ecosystem in the waterway instead.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Tootles’ death disproves this, showing that a hybrid being can die under extreme circumstances.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
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Needs teeth Reforms are being reversed not because data disproves the need, but because the politics now allow retreat.—
Hansel Alejandro Aguilar,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The approvals contradict the International Gymnastics Federation’s (FIG) neutrality conditions detailed in their ad-hoc guidelines.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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This contradicts the language Paxton has used when discussing these and other firms.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The outcomes for detainees who have been housed at the facility have taken on new significance after an appeals court overturned that earlier ruling, allowing the facility to resume operations.—
Ben Wieder,
Miami Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
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Now 64, Hernandez had been serving his sentence until the recent appeals court decision overturning his conviction in July.—
Adeola Adeosun
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Every later sleuth, including Kuriyama and Honan, needs to grapple with Nicholl, if only to rebut him.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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Starmer could have rebutted this, pointing to the Conservatives’ vastly more numerous 121 seats.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The gathering, billed as a briefing rather than a fullblown hearing, included a slate of experts in science, defense and technology who discussed with members of Congress how understanding the unexplained phenomena could lead to scientific breakthroughs and enhance national security.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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Still, Highmark would not discuss L’s case in any detail, citing patient privacy.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refute. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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