1
as in refuted
to prove to be false
a Web site that assiduously debunks urban legends
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exposed
to reveal the true nature of
the investigative reporter easily debunked the charlatan's claims of clairvoyance
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of debunked
But the claim was quickly debunked as officials on the island of Saint Helena, where the tortoise lives, reported that Jonathan was still kicking.
—
Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
Despite being debunked time and time again, a startling proportion of the public still hold onto these claims.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 1 Apr. 2026
The theories are unfounded and have been repeatedly debunked.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Since the ballot seizure, local election officials in Riverside County have debunked the allegations of irregularities by saying that the citizens' group's numbers were based on raw data that could have included unsigned ballots.
—Laurie Perez, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
When Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu posted videos to rebut viral claims of his death, Grok declared the footage fake — swiftly debunked, yet already spread.
—Hollie McKay, Deadline, 29 Mar. 2026
Though the original clip is authentic, showing seven dogs wandering down the side of a highway in northeastern Jilin province, Chinese state media has since debunked the narrative of their escape and journey home.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
What Actually Happened CNN and Chinese state media debunked the key claims.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
What Actually Happened, According to Reporting CNN and Chinese state media investigated — and debunked the key claims.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
Despite being debunked time and time again, a startling proportion of the public still hold onto these claims.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 1 Apr. 2026
The theories are unfounded and have been repeatedly debunked.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Since the ballot seizure, local election officials in Riverside County have debunked the allegations of irregularities by saying that the citizens' group's numbers were based on raw data that could have included unsigned ballots.
—Laurie Perez, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
When Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu posted videos to rebut viral claims of his death, Grok declared the footage fake — swiftly debunked, yet already spread.
—Hollie McKay, Deadline, 29 Mar. 2026
Though the original clip is authentic, showing seven dogs wandering down the side of a highway in northeastern Jilin province, Chinese state media has since debunked the narrative of their escape and journey home.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
What Actually Happened CNN and Chinese state media debunked the key claims.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
What Actually Happened, According to Reporting CNN and Chinese state media investigated — and debunked the key claims.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debunked
Verb
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The investigation is based on debunked fraud claims, as local election officials have already refuted the allegations of discrepancies by explaining that the citizens group’s analysis relied on incomplete data.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
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Jones, who lived in San Francisco for years before moving to Napa, refuted the insinuation of carpetbagging.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, mold reactions depend on the type of mold, amount of mold and the person exposed.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Symptoms of chickenpox typically appear between 10 and 21 days after being exposed to the virus.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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What makes the case even more interesting is what investigators uncovered next.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
30 Mar. 2026
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Over the years, federal authorities have uncovered lucrative businesses that charge tens of thousands of dollars for birth tourism services.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debunked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debunked. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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