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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refute
Bondi also said that although the names of several other high-profile figures were mentioned, the investigators did not find a client list or evidence refuting that Epstein died by suicide.
—
Jade Walker, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
But Hunter was quick to refute this claim, arguing that at large events where the president is meeting several people, introductions are the norm.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 21 July 2025
The story included statements from Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel refuting the premise, but not Bongino.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2025
The Kessler and Berman letter refutes this interpretation, arguing the settlement does not preclude a collective from paying athletes for use of their NIL in the entrance fee situation and related contexts.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for refute
Jade Walker, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
But Hunter was quick to refute this claim, arguing that at large events where the president is meeting several people, introductions are the norm.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 21 July 2025
The story included statements from Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel refuting the premise, but not Bongino.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2025
The Kessler and Berman letter refutes this interpretation, arguing the settlement does not preclude a collective from paying athletes for use of their NIL in the entrance fee situation and related contexts.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for refute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refute
Verb
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The goal of Gastineau’s memorandum is to convince U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, who is presiding over the case, to deny the motion to dismiss and advance the case into pretrial discovery.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Shaw then asked if her boyfriend or a friend could pick up her son since his documents were up to date, but she was again denied, Thorward said.—
Hanna Park,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Activists have worked steadily to discredit stories about famine.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
5 Aug. 2025
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During the two-month trial, Combs’ defense attorneys focused much of their efforts on questioning – and attempting to discredit – witnesses brought forth by the prosecution.—
Elizabeth Wagmeister,
CNN Money,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Evers himself rejected Underly’s request to repeal a state law requiring teachers to pass the Foundations of Reading Test to obtain certain teaching licenses.—
Rory Linnane,
jsonline.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Hall has rejected Puri's recommendation to reinstate Farhat as the Democratic appropriations chair, made in a letter that blasted the speaker's approach to budget negotiations.—
Clara Hendrickson,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The idea is to either prove or disprove that Gabriel belongs third on the depth chart.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
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When asked about this possibility, Thompson said there was never any definitive evidence that either proved or disproved this theory.—
Chris Spargo,
People.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The call center logs and Richardson's memo directly contradict this statement.—
Rebecca Hersher,
NPR,
7 Aug. 2025
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Then there’s a loving and ridiculous interpretive-dance tribute to Janney and her various roles, even if these roles are largely, genuinely nothing special and featuring them sort of contradicts the concept of the award.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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To change that, Congress would need to overturn home rule.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
6 Aug. 2025
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Tables were overturned, wine bottles were shattered and decorations were destroyed.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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District attorney Brad Smith rebutted that the sweep was necessary to protect the law enforcement officers at the house and that Colin Gray had verbally given permission to search the home.—
Devon M. Sayers,
CNN Money,
1 Aug. 2025
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Globally, leaders from Italy, Germany and France rebutted Trump’s assertion that the Paris Agreement could be renegotiated.—
Shannon Gibson,
The Conversation,
30 July 2025
Verb
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Detectives have reached out to several police agencies across the country to discuss various suspects and cases that have any similarities to the Fleming case, the release states.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
8 Aug. 2025
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For six months, U.S. officials have met with their Russians counterparts to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine.—
Mark Temnycky,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refute. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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