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
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
However, an insider close to Nicola is refuting that account.
—Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
However, an insider close to Nicola is refuting that account.
—Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refuting
Verb
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And Pete Hegseth’s advice on sending in federal forces can be inferred by his support of a pastor calling for denying women the vote.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
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Egbert made her point as a legislative committee met at the Capitol to consider a bill by a fellow representative, Republican Lucas Cayler of Caldwell, to limit instances in which criminal charges can be brought against parents for denying medical care or other basic needs to their children.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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Elordi and Giannulli appeared to be going strong over the next two years, with sources discrediting breakup speculation to PEOPLE in January 2024 and as the two vacationed together in Italy the following September.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Whether a client was pushed out after rejecting a supervisor’s advances, denied leave during pregnancy, or targeted for speaking up, the firm builds cases that reflect the full picture of workplace dynamics.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
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Viganò, who is the Vatican’s former ambassador to the United States, was excommunicated in 2024 for refusing to recognize Pope Francis’ authority and rejecting the Second Vatican Council that modernized the Roman Catholic Church.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Enacting government reforms like congressional term limits, banning stock trading and overturning citizens united would make congress members more accountable to the people and less likely to play partisan games to appease special interest groups.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Feb. 2026
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Barcelona first entered the top eight on the hour-mark after overturning a one-goal deficit against Copenhagen, while Manchester City took a two-goal lead within half an hour at home to Galatasaray.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Slok cited a slew of academic studies on AI and productivity, painting a contradictory picture about the utility of the technology.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
17 Feb. 2026
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What’s troubling about the drop in vaccination rates, however, is that confused — and at times contradictory — public debate around vaccines has almost certainly driven that decline.—
Josh M. Shepherd,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Barack Obama’s administration detained unaccompanied children and families despite humanitarian rhetoric, contradicting Clinton’s assertion that children were not placed in detention camps.—
Fidel Martinez,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Was Louise the teacher contradicting Louise the poet?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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There’s no public evidence proving or disproving the Biss campaign’s suggestion.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
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Michigan State and Michigan are the only programs disproving that, as each is 11-3 in conference road games dating to last season.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Switch up the protein in your gumbo based on the opposing team that game day.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
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This season in particular, home games have been a short respite from the hostile environments UConn has faced on the road, where – just about – every opposing team and fan base makes the most of their shot at one of the top teams in the country.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refuting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refuting. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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