REFUTES Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

refutes

verb

present tense third-person singular of refute

as in denies

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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as in discredits

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of refutes The Mad King, however, refutes the legitimacy of any kind of prophecy, even going so far to reject the notion of destiny. — Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026 Speaking with the Courant, Moscowitz refutes that there was ever a formal meeting involving him or his investigators and Isa Abdus-Sabur. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 15 Sep. 2026 In his Facebook post, Khrzhanovsky refutes or qualifies the various accusations made against him and his film. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026 History refutes the myth of the individual genius because innovations are collaborative and cultural. — Michael Muthukrishna, Fortune, 23 July 2026 This timeline refutes the notion that classifying obesity as a disease is driven by commercial interests by drugmakers. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 18 July 2026 Filicetti refutes the claim that his client is an anti-vaxxer. — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 9 July 2026 This research refutes arguments by figures like Stephen Miller, who advocate for reduced immigration. — Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 Four fisher people from Indonesia’s Pari Island filed a legal complaint in 2023 against the Swiss construction company Holcim, which refutes their assertion that its climate change-causing emissions threaten their homes and livelihoods. — ABC News, 3 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for refutes

Verb

United Nations experts, the United States and Congo's government have in the past accused Rwanda of profiting off Congo’s minerals in exchange for its support to the rebels, which Rwanda denies.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026
Because the therapy is off-label, insurance routinely denies coverage, forcing clinicians and patients to improvise — a frustration that Dombo experienced firsthand.

— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of denies

Verb

Taking aim at history on the exact 250th anniversary of the United States, the White House Domestic Policy Council released a report on July 4 that discredits the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

— Nora Oakes Howard, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
The praiseworthyness of having both sides of the debate evaporates when the host actively discredits the expert and reflexively enhances the legitimacy of the conspiracy theorist.

— Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 1 Dec. 2025

Definition of discredits

Verb

Trump has said construction will not move forward unless a federal appeals court overturns a ruling blocking efforts to put his name on the building.

— Mike Stunson, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026
But when the studio overturns the casting decision, her search for answers spirals into obsession, blurring the line between ambition, performance and reality.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of overturns

Verb

Their testimony directly contradicts what the governor’s office has been saying for over a year – as well as statements officers provided to the Inspector General’s Office investigators in January.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
The order contradicts state law, which requires that judges livestream proceedings such as trials, hearings and sentencings.

— Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of contradicts

Verb

The Musical is an ambitious, fully independent musical adaptation that disproves the notion that Homer’s poem has been thoroughly picked clean.

— Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 18 July 2026
Meanwhile, an employee uses AI to see if an instance can be found that disproves the claim that the fraud detection covers all possible bases.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

Definition of disproves

Verb

The record amount of equity in the sale debunks the notion that NFL rules might put a lid on how much a franchise could fetch.

— Michael Ozanian, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
The doc debunks his claim that people will be able to live on the red planet in a self-sustaining city in 20 years.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of debunks

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refuted

refutes

refuting

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“Refutes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refutes. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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verb

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