1
as in refuting
to prove to be false
a Web site that assiduously debunks urban legends
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exposing
to reveal the true nature of
the investigative reporter easily debunked the charlatan's claims of clairvoyance
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 debunking
Conversely, the ballot initiative's proponents have pointed to studies debunking the idea that higher taxes result in the migration of significant numbers of wealthy people and businesses.
—
Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 7 Jan. 2026
The authors have clearly considered most of the arguments against their natalist positions, and much of the book is devoted to debunking common objections to the call for more babies.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
In the first place—as every Thanksgiving-myth-debunking article notes—turkey doesn’t have a lot of tryptophan.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2025
Now, the Los Angeles Police Department captain is debunking rumors surrounding her remains.
—Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
The doc will also say its DNA analysis reveals a very high testing score for autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar, while debunking the notion that Hitler had Jewish ancestry.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025
Scrupulous scientists and science communicators shouldn’t have to spend their efforts endlessly engaging with and debunking meritless nonsense.
—Big Think, 12 Nov. 2025
As frigid temperatures engulf large swaths of the nation, auto experts are debunking a longtime myth about driving in cold weather.
—Jalen Williams, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
Accusations of false achievements on high mountains have existed for more than a century, and in almost every case, photographs have played an instrumental role in confirming or debunking the achievement.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 30 Oct. 2025
Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 7 Jan. 2026
The authors have clearly considered most of the arguments against their natalist positions, and much of the book is devoted to debunking common objections to the call for more babies.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
In the first place—as every Thanksgiving-myth-debunking article notes—turkey doesn’t have a lot of tryptophan.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2025
Now, the Los Angeles Police Department captain is debunking rumors surrounding her remains.
—Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
The doc will also say its DNA analysis reveals a very high testing score for autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar, while debunking the notion that Hitler had Jewish ancestry.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025
Scrupulous scientists and science communicators shouldn’t have to spend their efforts endlessly engaging with and debunking meritless nonsense.
—Big Think, 12 Nov. 2025
As frigid temperatures engulf large swaths of the nation, auto experts are debunking a longtime myth about driving in cold weather.
—Jalen Williams, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
Accusations of false achievements on high mountains have existed for more than a century, and in almost every case, photographs have played an instrumental role in confirming or debunking the achievement.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debunking
Verb
-
The plethora of fourth-quarter collapses offers refuting evidence.—
Sam McDowell
January 27,
Kansas City Star,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Being true to those principles matters more than refuting a talking point from any pundit or any bulletin-board material spouted by any rival.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The car was removed from the home by fire personnel, revealing the home’s living room front wall as destroyed, exposing the room to the front yard of the home.—
Sierra van der Brug,
Daily News,
24 Jan. 2026
-
On Monday, Brooklyn shared an explosive, six-page statement to his Instagram story, exposing what led to the rift in the Beckham household.—
Janelle Ash , Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For me, that says something about my preoccupation with monsters-in-disguise and the agency of women in both uncovering and conquering violence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
If doubts appear from seemingly nowhere, make a point of uncovering their roots before dismissing them.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debunking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debunking. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
