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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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
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
Heuermann's ex-wife refutes wrongful death lawsuit Heuermann's ex-wife, Asa Ellerup, and her daughter with Heuermann have been named in a wrongful death lawsuit that was brought by the son of victim Valerie Mack.
—Jeff Capellini, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Washington has boosted claims that attacks on Nigerian Christians by militants constitute genocide — a characterization the Nigerian government strongly refutes.
—Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 1 Apr. 2026
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
Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 22 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
Heuermann's ex-wife refutes wrongful death lawsuit Heuermann's ex-wife, Asa Ellerup, and her daughter with Heuermann have been named in a wrongful death lawsuit that was brought by the son of victim Valerie Mack.
—Jeff Capellini, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Washington has boosted claims that attacks on Nigerian Christians by militants constitute genocide — a characterization the Nigerian government strongly refutes.
—Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 1 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refutes
Verb
-
Swalwell denies the allegations.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
-
Iran denies ever withdrawing from the Venice Biennale, and the Somalia Pavilion sparks controversy.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Yet despite its popularity, research discredits this long-standing belief.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In many ways, the collection rejects the rigidity that has long defined traditional menswear, prioritizing emotional connection and ease over overt trend cycles or hyper-masculine dressing.—
Karin Eldor,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
The island's ruling party rejects that claim.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The South Carolina Supreme Court overturns Murdaugh's murder convictions and life sentence.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
-
The decision overturns voters' approval of a new congressional map that would have given Democrats an advantage in 10 House districts, leaving just one safe Republican seat.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Surface the places where your knowledge base contradicts itself.—
Philip Brittan,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
This decision contradicts scientific evidence and ignores the reality that women — particularly Black women — bear a disproportionate burden of obesity and its complications.—
Latisa S Carson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Tootles’ death disproves this, showing that a hybrid being can die under extreme circumstances.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
-
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
-
Rachel Comey, the brand, rebuts this claim.—
Maya Singer,
Vogue,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The data, however, debunks the notion that the Knicks’ rust will be a factor in the conference finals.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
18 May 2026
-
As a result, these corners are areas where misinformation is more prolific—and the science that debunks that misinformation receives little mention, if at all.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refutes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refutes. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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