debunk
verb
de·bunk
(ˌ)dē-ˈbəŋk 
debunked; debunking; debunks
: to expose the sham (see sham entry 1 sense 2) or falseness of
debunk a legend
debunker
noun
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To debunk something is to take the bunk out of it—that bunk being “nonsense.” (Bunk is short for the synonymous bunkum, which has political origins.) Debunk has been in use since at least the 1920s, and it contrasts with synonyms like disprove and rebut by suggesting that something is not merely untrue but is also a sham—a trick meant to deceive. One can simply disprove a myth, but if it is debunked, the implication is that the myth was a grossly exaggerated or foolish claim.
Examples of debunk in a Sentence
The article debunks the notion that life exists on Mars.
The results of the study debunk his theory.
Recent Examples on the Web
This is ludicrous for many reasons, including the fact that neither Beyoncé nor Oprah (nor Eminem, nor Megan Thee Stallion, nor Lizzo) were paid by Kamala Harris to support her in the 2024 election; those claims were debunked last year.
—
Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2025
The spread of health misinformation has reduced cooperation with important prevention and treatment recommendations, prompting a growing need for medical professionals to receive proper training and develop skills to effectively debunk fake health information.
—Angshuman K. Kashyap, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
While some pillows can trap heat, this one is here to debunk the myth.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 16 May 2025
Creatine usage is considered safe with no real side effects, though it has been linked to cramping, bloating, dehydration, and water retention (studies do seem to have debunked all these effects, however).
—Devinder Bains, Glamour, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for debunk
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Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2025
The spread of health misinformation has reduced cooperation with important prevention and treatment recommendations, prompting a growing need for medical professionals to receive proper training and develop skills to effectively debunk fake health information.
—Angshuman K. Kashyap, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
While some pillows can trap heat, this one is here to debunk the myth.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 16 May 2025
Creatine usage is considered safe with no real side effects, though it has been linked to cramping, bloating, dehydration, and water retention (studies do seem to have debunked all these effects, however).
—Devinder Bains, Glamour, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for debunk
Cite this Entry
“Debunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debunk. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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