1
as in to refute
to prove to be false
a Web site that assiduously debunks urban legends
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to expose
to reveal the true nature of
the investigative reporter easily debunked the charlatan's claims of clairvoyance
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debunk
While some data shows that political violence comes from the right, this former Democrat and Newsweek editor has debunked that.
—
Nicole Russell, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Sure enough, there’s a very easy way to debunk that claim.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
If this is the true face of the AI industry—a technological triumphalism that sees human thought as an inefficiency to overcome and human distinctiveness as a myth to debunk—the differences between the Church and Silicon Valley may prove irreconcilable.
—Elias Wachtel, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026
Her daughter, Pallas, who co-manages Birchbark, says that the books lining the store’s shelves debunk the misconceptions that Native literature is stuck in the past or focused solely on hardship.
—Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debunk
Nicole Russell, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Sure enough, there’s a very easy way to debunk that claim.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
If this is the true face of the AI industry—a technological triumphalism that sees human thought as an inefficiency to overcome and human distinctiveness as a myth to debunk—the differences between the Church and Silicon Valley may prove irreconcilable.
—Elias Wachtel, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026
Her daughter, Pallas, who co-manages Birchbark, says that the books lining the store’s shelves debunk the misconceptions that Native literature is stuck in the past or focused solely on hardship.
—Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debunk
Verb
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Cuban officials have angrily refuted the pressure campaign and promised to resist any military intervention with force.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
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Cento refuted the claims made in the complaint and will seek dismissal of the lawsuit in court, a company spokesperson told The Times on Monday.—
Itzel Luna,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
Verb
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But Detroit’s damning offensive flaws, which its defense compensated for during the regular season, were exposed by the Cavs.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
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Traveling through different communities exposed him to areas without reliable electricity, including rural regions internationally and underserved areas closer to home.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The first and third items in this indictment are indisputable; the second is a complicated and qualified matter; and the last two are libels, still part of popular legend no matter how often disproved by serious biography.—
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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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
Verb
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Cadaver dogs had previously alerted to the scent of human remains in the backyard, but earlier searches did not uncover a body.—
Doug Dunbar,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
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After uncovering what the issue was following an 18-month mystery, the actress underwent multiple vocal cord surgeries and finally got an implant.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Do these circumstances discredit the Braves’ wins?—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
15 May 2026
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What was unusual was the weaponization of the lack of forensic evidence to discredit the allegations.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debunk. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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