1
as in to deny
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to discredit
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refute
In a statement days later, Belichick claimed that there was an agreement before the interview to only discuss his book — a claim CBS refuted later that day.
—
Julie Mazziotta, People.com, 16 May 2025
Later on Tuesday, Hoffman staffer Aria Finger refuted the White House, stating the tech billionaire was not in Riyadh.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 13 May 2025
Depardieu has repeatedly refuted both accounts saying his actions had been misinterpreted.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 May 2025
What To Know In response, Baraka appeared on CNN's The Source With Kaitlan Collins, refuting Habba's claims.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for refute
Julie Mazziotta, People.com, 16 May 2025
Later on Tuesday, Hoffman staffer Aria Finger refuted the White House, stating the tech billionaire was not in Riyadh.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 13 May 2025
Depardieu has repeatedly refuted both accounts saying his actions had been misinterpreted.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 May 2025
What To Know In response, Baraka appeared on CNN's The Source With Kaitlan Collins, refuting Habba's claims.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for refute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refute
Verb
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At the very least, there’s no denying that Stewart has artistic conviction.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2025
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The Boise City Council denied that appeal in April in a 4-1 vote, with Council Member Luci Willits the lone dissenter.—
Nick Rosenberger,
Idaho Statesman,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Injuries contributed to the Pacers’ series wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but claiming the Pacers only advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for a second straight postseason because of lucky breaks discredits their greatness.—
Jovan Buha,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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The former Minnesota Democratic congressman was widely shunned for running against Biden and discredited for his accusations that Biden wasn’t capable of being president again.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
22 May 2025
Verb
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In December, the state Legislature initially rejected the plan because of funding ambiguities.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
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The jury rejected the BBC's defense that its journalism was fair, responsible and in the public interest.—
Fatima Al-Kassab,
NPR,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Many considered the two teams as equals heading into the series, and the first three quarters did nothing to disprove that.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
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Local concerns Community members in recent weeks have widely shared unconfirmed, and at times disproved, social media posts reporting ICE raids and mass-arrests.—
Sofi Zeman,
Kansas City Star,
16 May 2025
Verb
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Reversing the recommendation for vaccinating healthy pregnant women thus contradicts the new framework described by the FDA.—
Libby Richards,
The Conversation,
29 May 2025
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Though police initially believed her, forensic evidence and cellphone records contradicted her claims, and in 2022, Sherri admitted the entire abduction had been staged.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Foreign universities want to hire them May 25, 2025 The suit also seeks to overturn the Trump administration’s 15% cap on indirect costs related to research, which universities say are critical to carrying out their work.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2025
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The suit, which hopes to overturn the law, argues that the city’s ordinance violates the First Amendment and does not apply to other forms of speech, like a political candidate asking for support or a church member proselytizing.—
Vivienne Serret,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2025
Verb
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The prosecution called Hughes to attempt to rebut the defense’s suggestion that Ventura (and other women) could have left Combs.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
22 May 2025
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The only way to rebut that is to erode the concept of agency — that is a dangerous proposition.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 May 2025
Verb
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But the truth is, many of the most essential life planning tools—like a will, trust or guardianship directive—are rarely discussed or offered at work.—
Cody Barbo,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney discussed the return of the artifacts in a meeting with Canadian Catholic Cardinals in Rome this month ahead of Leo’s first mass, Jaime Battiste, a member of parliament who was also at the meeting, told the Canadian Press.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refute. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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