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
The letter also refuted accusations of a bribe, which were based on a text message a Quest representative had sent Davis.
—
Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Why won’t they be refuted easily?
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2026
The new ad campaign appears to be an extension of his work to refute the anti-California narrative.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Now, prosecutors have to refute a self-defense claim and prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant did not act in self-defense.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refute
Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Why won’t they be refuted easily?
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2026
The new ad campaign appears to be an extension of his work to refute the anti-California narrative.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Now, prosecutors have to refute a self-defense claim and prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant did not act in self-defense.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refute
Verb
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About ninety-eight per cent of building requests by Palestinians in the area are denied.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
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The case went to trial in 2023, and Pras was convicted on 10 charges; he was denied a retrial in 2024.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Major news outlets are undeterred by the administration’s criticism, recognizing that attempts to deter and discredit wartime reporting are as old as war coverage itself.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
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Defense attorneys have sought to discredit the prosecution's star witness, Carmen Lauber, a housekeeper for the family who claimed to have sold Richins fentanyl on multiple occasions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, the executives from several of the vendors that built out the state’s four-region 911 system encouraged the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management to reject Cal OES’ decision to transition to the statewide design.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
18 Mar. 2026
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Easier, maybe, to imagine Blume rejecting the general proposition of an author biography, which seeks to root a subject’s work in their specific experiences, dislodging them from a supposedly neutral or unmarked position.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Discounting the Patterson-Gimlin film is one thing; disproving the existence of giant humanoid creatures is another.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Mar. 2026
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In each case, skeptics used the scientific method to produce data that disproved the incumbent theory.—
Noubar Afeyan,
Time,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Hochul’s nuclear boosterism contradicts it.—
Manna Jo Greene,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
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But that seems to contradict reports of her immediate reaction to Andrew’s arrest.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Spoelstra used his coach’s challenge on an offensive foul committed by Adebayo that Miami had zero chance of overturning.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
14 Mar. 2026
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Five tornadoes ripped through parts of three Eastern North Carolina counties on Thursday, March 12, injuring a person in a home, tearing roofs, slicing trees and overturning campers, the National Weather Service reported late Friday.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Maryland Farm Bureau President Jamie Raley rebutted the proclamation in a press release.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Mar. 2026
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The affidavit appears to anticipate and rebut a self-defense argument.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Republicans on Capitol Hill have begun discussing with the White House a supplemental funding bill for the conflict in Iran, and even fiscal hawks seem to be on board.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Mar. 2026
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During her tenure as a state representative and throughout her campaign for Illinois comptroller, Croke has pointed to her experience as a mother when discussing policies affecting working families.—
Jonathan Bullington,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refute. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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