debunks

verb

present tense third-person singular of debunk
1
as in refutes
to prove to be false a Web site that assiduously debunks urban legends

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exposes
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of debunks The record amount of equity in the sale debunks the notion that NFL rules might put a lid on how much a franchise could fetch. — Michael Ozanian, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026 The doc debunks his claim that people will be able to live on the red planet in a self-sustaining city in 20 years. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026 So all of that essentially debunks the idea Buffett is trying to rush to beat a tax change. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 30 July 2026 First, the study debunks the common narrative that men are stronger dealmakers than women. — Michelle Travis, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 Point by point, O’Donnell debunks the arguments in A Sudden Flicker of Light, David Thomson’s new book about how cinema has harmed society. — Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026 But Steve Wade, a senior director of operations and procurement at ARS, debunks that myth. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 2 June 2026 The data, however, debunks the notion that the Knicks’ rust will be a factor in the conference finals. — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 18 May 2026 The department also debunks a myth suggesting a furnace works harder than usual to warm spaces that have been left cooler, which would defeat the purpose of temporarily lowering the temperature to optimize savings. — Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debunks
  1. refutes
  2. exposes
  3. uncovers
Verb
  • The Mad King, however, refutes the legitimacy of any kind of prophecy, even going so far to reject the notion of destiny.
    — Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Speaking with the Courant, Moscowitz refutes that there was ever a formal meeting involving him or his investigators and Isa Abdus-Sabur.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of refutes
Verb
  • Measuring the complete outcome also exposes the hidden economics of failures, retries, latency, human intervention and rework.
    — Jesse Stockall, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • As search data like Feel30’s exposes just how many patients are confused about discontinuation, expect state medical boards and payers to begin asking harder questions about informed consent, tapering documentation and provider supervision.
    — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of exposes
Verb
  • As the investigation uncovers a string of killings linked to a strange ritual, the two are pushed into working together, facing down otherworldly threats as well as unfinished business from Lan’s past.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Discover the Rhythm of Florida’s Northwest Coast From a boutique inn to the backwater bays Taylor Eisenhauer uncovers the storied side of Florida’s Panhandle.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of uncovers

Browse Nearby Words

debunking
debunks
debut
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Cite this Entry

“Debunks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debunks. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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