as in disproving
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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 refuting
Sharareh Drury, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
King’s break with Johnson was not about refuting his historic contributions.
—Mark Conway, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2026
That’s not refuting the secrecy.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
Amidst the other claims, this one has hit hard at Beast Industries, and the company got quite personal in refuting it.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
At the start of Thursday’s stream, Feherty offered up a general criticism of the integrity of news organizations while refuting the reports.
—Matt Moret, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2026
The documentary is already stirring up buzz due to Odom’s recent comments refuting some of the details and recollections from his ex-wife Khloé Kardashian.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Gould had re-released his own book with new material refuting those arguments.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Verb
Anne Hathaway is refuting online speculation over whether she's had a facelift.
—Sharareh Drury, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
King’s break with Johnson was not about refuting his historic contributions.
—Mark Conway, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2026
That’s not refuting the secrecy.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
Amidst the other claims, this one has hit hard at Beast Industries, and the company got quite personal in refuting it.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
At the start of Thursday’s stream, Feherty offered up a general criticism of the integrity of news organizations while refuting the reports.
—Matt Moret, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2026
The documentary is already stirring up buzz due to Odom’s recent comments refuting some of the details and recollections from his ex-wife Khloé Kardashian.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Gould had re-released his own book with new material refuting those arguments.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refuting
Verb
-
During Britney Spears’ DUI arrest in Ventura County in March, the pop star, at points, refused to comply with law enforcement, denying being under the influence and offering to make lasagna for officers rather than exit her car, video and reporting released by various outlets Thursday showed.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
22 May 2026
-
The Copperhead may be named after a different snake than the Viper, but there’s not denying that the two cars share DNA.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Orbán’s rule was marked by a sprawling media ecosystem, which for years served as a loyal mouthpiece for his Fidesz party while discrediting, defaming and intimidating his opponents.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 May 2026
-
My fear is that poor implementation and, above all, a failure to take accountability seriously will end up discrediting good ideas.—
Rachel Canter,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As Business of Fashion reports, Gen-Z in particular is rejecting mass-market trends in the pursuit of a true personal style, often favoring one of a kind, unique pieces.—
Katherine McLaughlin,
Architectural Digest,
22 May 2026
-
School is where some students learn that mercilessly rejecting others is not only permissible but also necessary, to eliminate competition.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
Verhoeven's protest is the immediate story, though overturning a result on a stoppage-timing dispute is historically a steep climb.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
The court annulled the CHP’s 2023 Congress, overturning a lower court’s verdict last year against claims of irregularities surrounding Özel’s election.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
25 May 2026
Adjective
-
Permission for characters to be contradictory.—
Jennifer Jay Palumbo,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
Wembanyama has found a way to balance traits that seem contradictory.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
While this might not be too surprising to many, 36 is the average age of players today — contradicting the common stereotype of a medium dominated by kids, tweens and young teens.—
Marc Saltzman,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
Instead of contradicting Austen’s depictions, the series adds context and interiority, giving Mary a growth arc that highlights her similarities to the author’s archetypal heroines.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
The newest data fits a trend, alongside news that Chicago once again has the country’s busiest airfield and is a top tourist destination, disproving the narrative that the city is shrinking, said Erin Connelly, communication director for Mayor Brandon Johnson.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
In January, Kennedy appointed 21 new members to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, many of whom have tied the existence of autism to vaccines, despite an overwhelming scientific consensus disproving that association.—
O. Rose Broderick,
STAT,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That's undoubtedly one of the top highlights in any opposing scouting report.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
-
When scanning through the Lakers’ season during the team’s end-of-season press conference a little over a week ago, Rob Pelinka highlighted an opposing player who was partially to blame for the Lakers’ second-round exit.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refuting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refuting. Accessed 28 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
