as in disproving
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1
as in denying
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 discrediting
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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Recent Examples of refuting
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2026
But the company is refuting the claims.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
But Kennedy was equally as defiant and doubled down on his stance, strongly refuting the allegations directed towards him.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
On Tuesday, Cordero-Stutz’s office issued a statement refuting a recent school system memo that had said there was a deal for the Sheriff’s Office to help process outstanding bus-camera violations that had been issued before last year’s suspension but are currently stalled in court.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately for Izzo, there are decades of film refuting this as a media dramatization.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The plethora of fourth-quarter collapses offers refuting evidence.
—Sam McDowell 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026
An ancient giant kangaroo that lived in Australia 50,000 years ago likely hopped after all, refuting past research on the species, according to a new study.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2026
In early 2023, Lachlan pleaded with Liz to issue a statement refuting a Financial Times article that said James would force him out upon Rupert’s death.
—Gabriel Sherman, Vanity Fair, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
Late in the evening, the sheriff's office posted that no injuries or deaths had been reported from the storm, refuting social media rumors.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2026
But the company is refuting the claims.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
But Kennedy was equally as defiant and doubled down on his stance, strongly refuting the allegations directed towards him.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
On Tuesday, Cordero-Stutz’s office issued a statement refuting a recent school system memo that had said there was a deal for the Sheriff’s Office to help process outstanding bus-camera violations that had been issued before last year’s suspension but are currently stalled in court.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately for Izzo, there are decades of film refuting this as a media dramatization.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The plethora of fourth-quarter collapses offers refuting evidence.
—Sam McDowell 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026
An ancient giant kangaroo that lived in Australia 50,000 years ago likely hopped after all, refuting past research on the species, according to a new study.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2026
In early 2023, Lachlan pleaded with Liz to issue a statement refuting a Financial Times article that said James would force him out upon Rupert’s death.
—Gabriel Sherman, Vanity Fair, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refuting
Verb
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There’s no denying that the bob remains the haircut of the moment.—
Fiona Embleton,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
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There is, however, no denying certain gains.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Henry’s wife Yasmin (Marisa Abela) ultimately convinces Hayley to accuse Dycker of assault, discrediting his story about Tender, and weaponizing #MeToo-era politics.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2026
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Supporters of Pahlavi were particularly vocal in Mashhad this month, as attested by the prevalence of pro-monarchy graffiti on city walls, and the regime’s propaganda devoted particular attention to discrediting the former crown prince.—
Davood Moradian,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Taiwan’s defense ministry expressed its thanks for the authorization, rejecting opposition claims the plans were opaque.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
13 Mar. 2026
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The young butterfly teaches his mother important lessons in accepting others and not rejecting them based on their color.—
Helen I. Bennett,
Hartford Courant,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Seda also said that more than 100 vehicles were damaged, with some overturning on the roadside and in parking bays.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
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Last month, in a separate case, Hong Kong’s Court of Appeal handed Lai a rare legal victory by overturning his conviction for fraud and quashing a 69-month sentence.—
Reuters 8 hr ago,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Russia continues daily aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities, killing and wounding civilians as both sides make contradictory claims about military progress.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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There are certain eras which are too complex, too deafened by contradictory historical and intellectual experiences, to hear the voice of sanity.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Nonfarm payrolls fell by 92,000 jobs in February 2026, contradicting expectations for job growth, and the author contends this represents a fundamental weakness in the administration’s economic narrative.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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New details in an ICE statement appear aimed at contradicting mounting criticism about his care while in ICE custody.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Discounting the Patterson-Gimlin film is one thing; disproving the existence of giant humanoid creatures is another.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Mar. 2026
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There’s no public evidence proving or disproving the Biss campaign’s suggestion.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Elward said Traynere was using the email to gain a political advantage and learn what members of the opposing party were thinking.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
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In the game, when a player kills multiple opponents without also dying, they are rewarded with the ability to conduct a missile strike to exterminate an opposing team.—
Casey Ryan Kelly,
The Conversation,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refuting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refuting. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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