1
as in to refute
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 to expose
to reveal the true nature of
the investigative reporter easily debunked the charlatan's claims of clairvoyance
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Recent Examples of debunk
However, a fact-check by the Cover 3 College Football Podcast debunked this, noting that Texas Tech's recruitment focus was on another quarterback, D.J. Gillen, until Gillen's de-commitment led the program to Mahomes—a month after Tuberville had already departed for Cincinnati.
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
But just before this morning’s vote, President Donald Trump continued to push the claim that vaccines are linked to autism, even though numerous studies have debunked it.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2025
Taking seriously and engaging in dialogue over these root causes, rather than simply debunking anti-vaccine beliefs by themselves, is increasingly necessary.
—Helen L. Murphey / Made By History, TIME, 29 Jan. 2025
PolitiFact and Lead Stories also debunked the claim.
—Andre Byik, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for debunk 
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
But just before this morning’s vote, President Donald Trump continued to push the claim that vaccines are linked to autism, even though numerous studies have debunked it.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2025
Taking seriously and engaging in dialogue over these root causes, rather than simply debunking anti-vaccine beliefs by themselves, is increasingly necessary.
—Helen L. Murphey / Made By History, TIME, 29 Jan. 2025
PolitiFact and Lead Stories also debunked the claim.
—Andre Byik, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for debunk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debunk
Verb
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While Kansas public health officials called it the largest U.S. concentration of the disease since recording began in the 1950s, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has refuted this, citing two larger episodes in the past.—
Cory Franklin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2025
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Nicole’s lawyer, Bruce Weil of law firm Boies Schiller Flexner, refutes that claim, saying that Dr. Wertheim never made such an offer.—
Kerry A. Dolan,
Forbes,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Children exposed to violence are more likely to become perpetrators of it later on.—
Meg Anderson,
NPR,
17 Feb. 2025
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New Mexico officials are notifying people possibly exposed to measles.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA TODAY,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In 100 riveting profiles, top basketball writers justify their selections and uncover the history of the NBA in the process.—
David Aldridge,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
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Something gets uncovered and suddenly this or that candidate falls away.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near debunk
Cite this Entry
“Debunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debunk. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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