Synonyms of refutes

refutes

verb

present tense third-person singular of refute

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

• denies
• rejects
• contradicts
• disavows
• negates
• disclaims
• repudiates
• disowns
• disallows
• disconfirms
• disproves
• gainsays
• disaffirms
• traverses
• rebuts
• negatives
• challenges
• disputes
• confutes
• disagrees (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confirms
• acknowledges
• admits
• owns
• allows
• concedes
• accepts
• adopts
• embraces
• asserts
• claims
• maintains
• declares
• affirms
• submits
• announces
• avows
• professes
• espouses
• avers
• corroborates
• substantiates
• validates
• verifies
• authenticates

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• discredits
• overturns
• disproves
• rebuts
• debunks
• discusses
• falsifies
• challenges
• belies
• confutes
• confounds
• gives the lie to
• disconfirms
• questions
• debates
• shoots down
• doubts
• overthrows
• contests
• mistrusts
• queries
• talks over
• moots
• hashes (over)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confirms
• proves
• establishes
• validates
• verifies
• shows
• supports
• witnesses
• records
• evidences
• corroborates
• documents
• substantiates
• identifies
• evinces
• attests
• illustrates
• demonstrates
• certifies
• backs (up)
• displays
• manifests
• adduces
• buttresses
• authenticates

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of refutes

The governor’s campaign responded to a request for comment Sunday, saying a witness refutes that the phone was touched. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026

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

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