1
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refutes
Browsh refutes the idea the NFL chose Bad Bunny as a political stunt.
—
Jake Angelo, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
Data consistently refutes the idea that theaters and streaming are in a zero-sum battle for different audiences.
—Joseph M. Singer, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
The clear video evidence starkly refutes the party line.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
That statement alone refutes claims that IHRA is meant to silence debate.
—David Moore, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2026
This definitive non-detection directly contradicts earlier hints and fully refutes claims from experiments such as Neutrino-4, which reported positive evidence for such a signal.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Dec. 2025
And refutes this idea that dinosaurs were in decline before the asteroid struck.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 30 Oct. 2025
Like Dunbar’s speakers, Hughes’s dispossessed have no way out, and the poem implicitly refutes optimism regarding the Great Migration and racial progress.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Ex-contractor likens Gaza aid effort to 'The Hunger Games,' former employer refutes claims One meal a day.
—Gram Slattery, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Jake Angelo, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
Data consistently refutes the idea that theaters and streaming are in a zero-sum battle for different audiences.
—Joseph M. Singer, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
The clear video evidence starkly refutes the party line.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
That statement alone refutes claims that IHRA is meant to silence debate.
—David Moore, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2026
This definitive non-detection directly contradicts earlier hints and fully refutes claims from experiments such as Neutrino-4, which reported positive evidence for such a signal.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Dec. 2025
And refutes this idea that dinosaurs were in decline before the asteroid struck.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 30 Oct. 2025
Like Dunbar’s speakers, Hughes’s dispossessed have no way out, and the poem implicitly refutes optimism regarding the Great Migration and racial progress.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Ex-contractor likens Gaza aid effort to 'The Hunger Games,' former employer refutes claims One meal a day.
—Gram Slattery, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refutes
Verb
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Meta, for its part, denies the accusations and says it’s implemented numerous measures to safeguard young users.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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Attorney Chris Huber, who is representing Frost V, said his client denies the allegations in the secretary of state's investigation.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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Yet despite its popularity, research discredits this long-standing belief.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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My child automatically rejects paying for parking, especially when there are other options.—
Harvey Levine,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Hunter-Torricke rejects these criticisms.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Constitutional Court overturns the legislature’s impeachment of Prime Minister Han, restoring his powers as the country’s acting leader.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
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The state Supreme Court ruling in favor of the referendum overturns a lower court’s block against the Democrats’ redistricting maneuver.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But data increasingly contradicts those narratives.—
Anna Lee Iijima,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
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And McCann’s version of events contradicts what Allen allegedly told other officials.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
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 department also debunks a myth suggesting a furnace works harder than usual to warm spaces that have been left cooler, which would defeat the purpose of temporarily lowering the temperature to optimize savings.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Jan. 2026
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However, Haug debunks it as a requirement.—
Essence,
Essence,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Beyond her physical transformation, Sarah also discusses her strategy for red carpet dressing, telling the story behind her Chanel feather dress and pants at the show’s premiere.—
Chelsea Daniel,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
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This story discusses events that might be disturbing to some readers.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refutes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refutes. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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