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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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
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
However, in a blog on the topic, the NPS refutes the idea that one park is more deadly than any other.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 9 Sep. 2025
Yet Superman's entire story refutes this zero-sum thinking.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
Gram Slattery, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
However, in a blog on the topic, the NPS refutes the idea that one park is more deadly than any other.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 9 Sep. 2025
Yet Superman's entire story refutes this zero-sum thinking.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refutes
Verb
-
If the judge denies the defense motion, the court would then move toward scheduling Trauernicht’s trial.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The union denies having any role in the slowdown of the nation's airspace in 2019.—
Joel Rose,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
International pressure on Israel to end the war is increasing, with a growing list of countries deciding recently to recognize Palestinian statehood, which Israel rejects.—
WAFAA SHURAFA,
Arkansas Online,
28 Sep. 2025
-
When Rabbit asks to be the one to adopt Stacey after her graduation, Evelyn abusively rejects the notion and Rabbit is crushed.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The new work overturns that picture.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The decision overturns a ruling by a lower-court judge in 2023 who had declared the law unconstitutional after previously blocking it from taking effect in 2021.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The plan also contradicts the Prime Minister’s frequent claims that the Palestinian Authority will have no role in a postwar Gaza.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The report contradicts previous findings from the Justice Department and reporting from other news outlets.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
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
-
Grok itself debunks the statement regarding Kirk; Musk’s AI tool cannot find evidence of Steele melting down over people mourning the assassination.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Combining rigorous research and captivating narration, Kateryna Zarembo debunks common myths about the region, such as its long-standing gravitation towards Russia and its rejection of everything Ukrainian.—
Nelly Klos
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The trio discusses success in the Sun Belt—particularly for the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes—and how the NHL might better monetize its popularity oversees.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Sönke Gößling, PhD, (right) discusses the plans for the energy trailer with Finn Floßbach.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Her choice challenges the rules of her world and sparks a rebellion that paves the way for a new way of life.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Their paper challenges the standard Lambda Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) model, which assumes that the effects of dark energy remain constant.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refutes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refutes. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share