REFUTES Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

refutes

verb

present tense third-person singular of refute

as in denies

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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as in discredits

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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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 refutes The clear video evidence starkly refutes the party line. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026 That statement alone refutes claims that IHRA is meant to silence debate. — David Moore, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2026 Browsh refutes the idea the NFL chose Bad Bunny as a political stunt. — Jake Angelo, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026 Data consistently refutes the idea that theaters and streaming are in a zero-sum battle for different audiences. — Joseph M. Singer, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026 The woman vehemently refutes those claims to ABC News, and claims Aaron knew about her personal history, including marital status. — ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026 Heuermann's ex-wife refutes wrongful death lawsuit Heuermann's ex-wife, Asa Ellerup, and her daughter with Heuermann have been named in a wrongful death lawsuit that was brought by the son of victim Valerie Mack. — Jeff Capellini, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026 There is extensive evidence — including Slack and WhatsApp messages, company documents, and witness testimony — that unequivocally refutes her claims. — Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026 Washington has boosted claims that attacks on Nigerian Christians by militants constitute genocide — a characterization the Nigerian government strongly refutes. — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 1 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for refutes

Verb

The Compton native and former Pro Bowl player, married to ex-‘Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ cast member Annemarie Wiley, denies any physical altercation.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
But that’s not the case for a worker who sues an insurer that denies coverage for their health condition.

— Miranda Yaver, The Conversation, 2 July 2026

Definition of denies

Verb

The praiseworthyness of having both sides of the debate evaporates when the host actively discredits the expert and reflexively enhances the legitimacy of the conspiracy theorist.

— Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 1 Dec. 2025
Yet despite its popularity, research discredits this long-standing belief.

— Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2025

Definition of discredits

Verb

The final budget agreement rejects a call by Newsom to lower the asset limit to $2,000 now and instead lowers it to $21,000 in 2027-28 to be eligible for Medi-Cal.

— Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Kenzie completely rejects Corbin’s because Corbin, having disrespected her, is now dead to her.

— Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 30 June 2026

Definition of rejects

Verb

This decision overturns a 2001 Supreme Court case that declared the limits on party spending to be constitutional.

— Nina Totenberg, NPR, 30 June 2026
Superior Court Judge Thomas Matthews’ ruling overturns a June 15 decision by Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher to disqualify the challenger and keep him off the primary ballot.

— Becky Bohrer, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026

Definition of overturns

Verb

Meanwhile, an employee uses AI to see if an instance can be found that disproves the claim that the fraud detection covers all possible bases.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Tootles’ death disproves this, showing that a hybrid being can die under extreme circumstances.

— Leia Mendoza, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025

Definition of disproves

Verb

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
New research debunks the notion that the gender gap is primarily due to women’s lack of AI skills, interest or access.

— Michelle Travis, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Definition of debunks

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refuted

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refuting

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“Refutes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refutes. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of refutes

verb

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