as in disproving
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1
as in denying
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 discrediting
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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Recent Examples of refuting
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2026
But the company is refuting the claims.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
But Kennedy was equally as defiant and doubled down on his stance, strongly refuting the allegations directed towards him.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
On Tuesday, Cordero-Stutz’s office issued a statement refuting a recent school system memo that had said there was a deal for the Sheriff’s Office to help process outstanding bus-camera violations that had been issued before last year’s suspension but are currently stalled in court.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately for Izzo, there are decades of film refuting this as a media dramatization.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The plethora of fourth-quarter collapses offers refuting evidence.
—Sam McDowell 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026
An ancient giant kangaroo that lived in Australia 50,000 years ago likely hopped after all, refuting past research on the species, according to a new study.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2026
In early 2023, Lachlan pleaded with Liz to issue a statement refuting a Financial Times article that said James would force him out upon Rupert’s death.
—Gabriel Sherman, Vanity Fair, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
Late in the evening, the sheriff's office posted that no injuries or deaths had been reported from the storm, refuting social media rumors.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2026
But the company is refuting the claims.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
But Kennedy was equally as defiant and doubled down on his stance, strongly refuting the allegations directed towards him.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
On Tuesday, Cordero-Stutz’s office issued a statement refuting a recent school system memo that had said there was a deal for the Sheriff’s Office to help process outstanding bus-camera violations that had been issued before last year’s suspension but are currently stalled in court.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately for Izzo, there are decades of film refuting this as a media dramatization.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The plethora of fourth-quarter collapses offers refuting evidence.
—Sam McDowell 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026
An ancient giant kangaroo that lived in Australia 50,000 years ago likely hopped after all, refuting past research on the species, according to a new study.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2026
In early 2023, Lachlan pleaded with Liz to issue a statement refuting a Financial Times article that said James would force him out upon Rupert’s death.
—Gabriel Sherman, Vanity Fair, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refuting
Verb
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Insurance kept denying me anyway.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
4 Apr. 2026
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Chawinga is known for her help-defense — denying passes to players in those spaces, or even closing down the player sending in such crosses.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Henry’s wife Yasmin (Marisa Abela) ultimately convinces Hayley to accuse Dycker of assault, discrediting his story about Tender, and weaponizing #MeToo-era politics.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2026
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Supporters of Pahlavi were particularly vocal in Mashhad this month, as attested by the prevalence of pro-monarchy graffiti on city walls, and the regime’s propaganda devoted particular attention to discrediting the former crown prince.—
Davood Moradian,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The same year, an appeals court said a lawsuit against Snapchat over a speed filter feature involved in deadly car crashes could proceed, rejecting the company's argument that the case should be thrown out on Section 230 grounds.—
Shannon Bond,
NPR,
3 Apr. 2026
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Union leaders said negotiations have stalled for months, and are accusing BP of rejecting their proposals on jobs, pay, and safety.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That is why the Supreme Court’s recent decision overturning the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs brought an immediate sense of relief.—
Serena Sato,
Baltimore Sun,
31 Mar. 2026
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It's become a cornerstone of public school policy nationwide, but is being called into question again, and, with a stronger conservative majority on the Court than in 1982, overturning the ruling could radically reshape public education.—
Jenni Fink,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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His language has been contradictory on some of these points as to who's going to do it and when.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Federal judges have issued contradictory rulings on cases raising questions about state regulatory authority.—
David Greising,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The administration contends this interpretation aligns with historical constitutional understanding rather than contradicting it.—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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Suspicion turned to anger when scientific leaders kept contradicting his embrace of hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, and convalescent plasma.—
David Blumenthal,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In January, Kennedy appointed 21 new members to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, many of whom have tied the existence of autism to vaccines, despite an overwhelming scientific consensus disproving that association.—
O. Rose Broderick,
STAT,
19 Mar. 2026
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Discounting the Patterson-Gimlin film is one thing; disproving the existence of giant humanoid creatures is another.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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As the volunteer soccer coach shouted words of motivation, one of his players nudged the ball past the opposing team's goalie and into the net, prompting the sideline to erupt in cheers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
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Carmel’s Emerson Larson isn’t the type of pitcher who can surprise an opposing lineup.—
Steve Reaven,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refuting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refuting. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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