rebut

verb

re·​but ri-ˈbət 

rebutted; rebutting

transitive verb

1

: to drive or beat back : repel

2

a

: to contradict or oppose by formal legal argument, plea, or countervailing proof

b

: to expose the falsity of : refute

intransitive verb

: to make or furnish an answer or counter proof

rebuttable

ri-ˈbə-tə-bəl 

adjective

Did you know?

The -but in rebut once meant basically "butt", so rebut's original meanings were "to drive or beat back" and "to attack with violent language". Rebuttals can still be rather violent, as anyone who has watched some heated moments in a presidential debate can testify. The word is often used by lawyers, since the lawyer for the accused or for the party being sued almost always tries to rebut the charges against his or her client; but it's also used in plenty of contexts outside the courtroom.

Synonyms

• beat off
• fend (off)
• repel
• repulse
• stave off
• turn away
• turn back

Examples of rebut in a Sentence

Her lawyer attempted to rebut the witness's testimony.

Stalingrad's defenders were finally able to rebut the besiegers, but only after a horrendous loss of life.

Recent Examples on the Web

City leaders, have rebutted the argument, stating that the bond won’t increase rent or the properties’ market value. —Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024

The plaintiffs will attempt to rebut these defenses in forthcoming court filings. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Oct. 2024

Cohen rebutted — before revealing Snoop, 53, has someone monitoring the situation to ensure everyone is safe. —Jade Gomez, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024

As if to rebut the doubters, Trump appeared in early October at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the scene of the first assassination attempt against him, alongside his wealthiest benefactor, Musk. —Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French reboter, from re- + boter to butt — more at butt entry 3

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

rebut

verb

re·​but ri-ˈbət 

rebutted; rebutting

1

: to oppose by argument

2

: to prove to be wrong especially by argument or by proof that the opposite is true

Legal Definition

rebut

transitive verb

re·​but ri-ˈbət 

rebutted; rebutting

: to refute, counteract, or disprove (as opposing evidence) by evidence or argument

rebut damaging testimony

rebut a presumption

rebuttable adjective

rebuttably adverb

Etymology

Anglo-French reboter, rebuter to answer a charge, bar from an action, literally, to repulse, rebuff, from Old French reboter, from re- back + boter to push, butt