as in disproving
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Dissimilar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
Amidst the other claims, this one has hit hard at Beast Industries, and the company got quite personal in refuting it.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
At the start of Thursday’s stream, Feherty offered up a general criticism of the integrity of news organizations while refuting the reports.
—Matt Moret, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2026
The documentary is already stirring up buzz due to Odom’s recent comments refuting some of the details and recollections from his ex-wife Khloé Kardashian.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Gould had re-released his own book with new material refuting those arguments.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Verb
That’s not refuting the secrecy.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
Amidst the other claims, this one has hit hard at Beast Industries, and the company got quite personal in refuting it.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
At the start of Thursday’s stream, Feherty offered up a general criticism of the integrity of news organizations while refuting the reports.
—Matt Moret, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2026
The documentary is already stirring up buzz due to Odom’s recent comments refuting some of the details and recollections from his ex-wife Khloé Kardashian.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Gould had re-released his own book with new material refuting those arguments.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refuting
Verb
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Advocates say the right to request asylum is enshrined in the country's immigration law and say denying migrants that right puts people fleeing war or persecution in grave danger.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Yet there’s no denying that Renny Harlin, in his utilitarian action-hack way, has some chops.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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My fear is that poor implementation and, above all, a failure to take accountability seriously will end up discrediting good ideas.—
Rachel Canter,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
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In April 2024, Hayden agreed to pay a $5,000 civil penalty for violating conflict of interest law by allowing his office to issue an official press statement aimed at discrediting his primary opponent, Arroyo, days before the election.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Celtics also blocked three of the Sixers’ final four shots of the third, with Jordan Walsh, Brown and Vucevic all rejecting layups.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Jan Jones' embrace of Jackson could be the start of a tide of state House Republicans rejecting the lieutenant governor after years of feeling burned by his attempts to impose his will on the lower chamber.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Garcia Torres’ appellate attorney who secured the ruling overturning the conviction also did not respond to messages seeking comment.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Election law experts contend that the scenario of Republicans successfully overturning election results is unlikely, with legal remedies available to prevent stalling and ensure certification of results by January 3 when the new Congress convenes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Initial accounts given to relatives were contradictory — one early report incorrectly identified buffalo as the cause.—
Ryan Brennan
April 28,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In that order, Judge Susan van Keulen said government lawyers confirmed the USCIS has a duty to issue a timely decision on an application — and also that the holds are indefinite, two contradictory arguments.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Its lawyers, however, stated in internal memos obtained by the New York Times that nonresident foreign nationals could have used third-party payment platforms to get around its safeguards and make donations — possibly contradicting the firm’s statements to Congress.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Apr. 2026
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No Iranian delegation has yet departed for Islamabad, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing Iranian state TV, contradicting international media reports that a team of representatives was traveling.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 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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Throughout the ballpark, Padres jerseys far outnumbered those worn in support of the opposing Arizona Diamondbacks.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Plays in the opposing offenses’ backfield, attacking style, team captain, really impactful player.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refuting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refuting. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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