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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refute
There is extensive evidence — including Slack and WhatsApp messages, company documents, and witness testimony — that unequivocally refutes her claims.
—
Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
But international soccer's governing body has refuted those reports, responding directly to tweets from its media X account.
—Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 19 Apr. 2026
The woman vehemently refutes those claims to ABC News, and claims Aaron knew about her personal history, including marital status.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
The preservationists who sued have emphasized the importance of maintaining the president’s safety but refuted the notion that halting construction would endanger him.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refute
Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
But international soccer's governing body has refuted those reports, responding directly to tweets from its media X account.
—Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 19 Apr. 2026
The woman vehemently refutes those claims to ABC News, and claims Aaron knew about her personal history, including marital status.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
The preservationists who sued have emphasized the importance of maintaining the president’s safety but refuted the notion that halting construction would endanger him.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refute
Verb
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Turkey denies the deaths constituted genocide, saying the toll has been inflated and that those killed were victims of civil war and unrest.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
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If Yahweh, who delivered Israel from bondage and parted the Red Sea, intervenes too soon, some of us will be denied that choice (parable of the wheat and the tares).—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Robert Brulle, a visiting professor at Brown University who studies fossil fuel lobbying, said ExxonMobil led efforts to discredit climate science that successfully impeded government intervention.—
Alex Kuffner,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
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New science and forensics have since discredited the expert’s conclusion, prompting Gurley to throw out the convictions and order a new trial.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The court rejected the argument, concluding that a prospective rate hearing — unlike that on the response time — would be considered contested and the utility would have the opportunity to challenge the finding of imprudence then.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
29 Apr. 2026
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The legislation passed with broad bipartisan support in the Senate, but some Republicans rejected the bill, opposing earmarking millions more to maintain the fortified Capitol and equip it with the staff necessary to keep the screenings going.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But Lucas, known for making false confessions, later retracted his claim, and other evidence disproved his connection to the murder.—
JACK BROOK,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
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York is told that Somerset is imprisoned in the Tower of London, but when this is disproved by Somerset’s entrance, York announces his claim to the kingship.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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During their investigation, police found evidence that contradicted Kirby's explanation.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
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The survey also surfaced enduring public concerns over the police shooting death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald in October 2014 and the 13-month delay under then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel before the public release of body camera footage videos contradicting police statements.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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About $589 million in revenue generated from the tax has not been used, which in part is due to a lack of flexibility in how the money can be used, as well as due to legal concerns amid a threat to overturn the initiative.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Family members said it’s been a long road of frustration, agony and sadness watching Hitchcock’s death sentences get overturned three times amid the nearly a dozen appeals his attorneys have filed over the decades.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Attorneys for Cincinnati will have the chance to try to rebut Sorsby’s arguments.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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And in an effort to rebut claims that Comey was being selectively prosecuted, Blanche contended the case against the former FBI director was similar to other threats cases the department routinely brings against the lesser known.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In it, the king is expected to discuss the United Kingdom’s relationship with the United States over the last 250 years and how the two nations have worked together to achievements in science, economics, innovation, international security and other fields.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Gulf leaders are scheduled to meet in Jeddah on Tuesday to discuss the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz, and Pakistan’s mediation efforts.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refute. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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