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The -but in rebut once meant basically "butt", so rebut's original meanings were "to drive or beat back" and "to attack with violent language". Rebuttals can still be rather violent, as anyone who has watched some heated moments in a presidential debate can testify. The word is often used by lawyers, since the lawyer for the accused or for the party being sued almost always tries to rebut the charges against his or her client; but it's also used in plenty of contexts outside the courtroom.
Examples of rebut in a Sentence
Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 29 July 2025
But Padden rebutted that in her statement, noting that Galligan underwent two mental competency evaluations — one by the state Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health in 2024 and another by an independent psychiatrist in June.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 24 July 2025
Gretchen gets her first confessional after that and uses it partly to rebut Tamra.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 18 July 2025
Prosecutors rebutted the arguments Vigil's lawyer made and said the evidence showed that he was involved in the attack on Lord.
—Elena Santa Cruz, AZCentral.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebut
Cite this Entry
“Rebut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebut. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rebut
verb
Legal Definition
rebut
transitive verb
Anglo-French reboter, rebuter to answer a charge, bar from an action, literally, to repulse, rebuff, from Old French reboter, from re- back + boter to push, butt
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