1
as in to deny
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to discredit
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refute
On Friday, Swift’s lawyer stepped into the fray to set the record straight, refuting the claim that his client had agreed to answer questions under oath.
—
Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2025
Woody recently shot back and tried to refute Thug’s claim that this all started because of him.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
Ex-contractor likens Gaza aid effort to 'The Hunger Games,' former employer refutes claims One meal a day.
—Gram Slattery, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Initial reports stated about 100 passengers were feeling sick, but that number was later refuted by the airline.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refute
Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2025
Woody recently shot back and tried to refute Thug’s claim that this all started because of him.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
Ex-contractor likens Gaza aid effort to 'The Hunger Games,' former employer refutes claims One meal a day.
—Gram Slattery, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Initial reports stated about 100 passengers were feeling sick, but that number was later refuted by the airline.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refute
Verb
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Alan Jackson, a lawyer for Joaquin, denied the charges.—
Luc Cohen,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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As press secretary, Jean-Pierre repeatedly denied reports regarding Biden’s mental fitness during his time in office.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Holmes likewise discredited the MS-13 accusation, for which prosecutors relied on the testimony of coöperating witnesses who either contradicted one another or were otherwise unreliable.—
Cristian Farias,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
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The Cordell report has since been discredited — missing transcripts, factual errors and even confusion of key witnesses.—
Matthew J. Frauenfeld,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In July 2007, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves after rejecting an eight-year, $140 million contract extension.—
Taylor Millard,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
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Ukrainians overwhelmingly reject ceding territory.—
Oleksandra Matviichuk,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Tootles’ death disproves this, showing that a hybrid being can die under extreme circumstances.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
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Needs teeth Reforms are being reversed not because data disproves the need, but because the politics now allow retreat.—
Hansel Alejandro Aguilar,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The approvals contradict the International Gymnastics Federation’s (FIG) neutrality conditions detailed in their ad-hoc guidelines.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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This contradicts the language Paxton has used when discussing these and other firms.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The outcomes for detainees who have been housed at the facility have taken on new significance after an appeals court overturned that earlier ruling, allowing the facility to resume operations.—
Ben Wieder,
Miami Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
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Now 64, Hernandez had been serving his sentence until the recent appeals court decision overturning his conviction in July.—
Adeola Adeosun
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Every later sleuth, including Kuriyama and Honan, needs to grapple with Nicholl, if only to rebut him.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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Starmer could have rebutted this, pointing to the Conservatives’ vastly more numerous 121 seats.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For instance, Charles Kuck, an adjunct professor of law at Emory and immigration law firm partner, appeared on CGTN earlier this month to discuss the effect of deportations on the job market.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
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China’s top leaders are scheduled to meet in October to discuss development goals for 2026 to 2030.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refute. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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