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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debunked
After Kennedy defended his fringe view, Senator Bill Cassidy fact-checked and debunked Kennedy’s denialist arguments in real time.
—
Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026
Though repeatedly debunked, these ideas were widening the distance between citizens.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
Our reviews of court files found that statements made by the arresting officers were repeatedly debunked by video footage.
—A.c. Thompson, ProPublica, 14 Apr. 2026
Swift and Kelce were rumored to be tying the knot at Rhode Island's Ocean House on June 13, though a wedding planner recently debunked the theory.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026
Fox debunked the reports and offered a number of apt reactions to learning about one’s own death.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Kennedy co-founded the anti-vaccine group Children's Health Defense, and has linked vaccines to autism, a theory long debunked by scientific research.
—Mariam Sunny, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
His claims of widespread voter fraud — particularly involving mail voting — have been repeatedly debunked, and his administration has continued to prioritize the issue.
—Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
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
Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026
Though repeatedly debunked, these ideas were widening the distance between citizens.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
Our reviews of court files found that statements made by the arresting officers were repeatedly debunked by video footage.
—A.c. Thompson, ProPublica, 14 Apr. 2026
Swift and Kelce were rumored to be tying the knot at Rhode Island's Ocean House on June 13, though a wedding planner recently debunked the theory.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026
Fox debunked the reports and offered a number of apt reactions to learning about one’s own death.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Kennedy co-founded the anti-vaccine group Children's Health Defense, and has linked vaccines to autism, a theory long debunked by scientific research.
—Mariam Sunny, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
His claims of widespread voter fraud — particularly involving mail voting — have been repeatedly debunked, and his administration has continued to prioritize the issue.
—Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debunked
Verb
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Trump refuted those accusations in a heated interview with 60 Minutes host Norah O’Donnell on Sunday.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
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Pavlovski refuted a claim made by a witness on Monday that McGee and Jenkins had struggled over the gun that was used to shoot Jenkins.—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Curated by Our Editors Ultimately, public health workers got control of the outbreak through testing, contact tracing, isolating of sick and exposed individuals and vaccination.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
29 Apr. 2026
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One firm in the study had already reduced on-property labor hours by 30% and another had lowered headcount by 15% with entry-level positions—data labelers, junior brokers, leasing associates—among the most exposed.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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However, Pirro also suggested investigators have already uncovered evidence to back charging Allen with attempting to assassinate the president.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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Redistricting usually happens every 10 years, with borders of districts redrawn to reflect population changes uncovered in the Census.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debunked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debunked. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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