DEBUNKING Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

debunking

verb

present participle of debunk

as in refuting

to prove to be false a Web site that assiduously debunks urban legends

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in exposing

to reveal the true nature of the investigative reporter easily debunked the charlatan's claims of clairvoyance

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 debunking The tweet above was eventually slapped with a Community Note debunking the claims. — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026 Putting These Ideas Into Practice Rein works hard at debunking neuroscience myths and telling people which brain interventions don’t actually hold up. — Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Researchers found genetic traces of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for the deadliest form of malaria — effectively debunking the longstanding poisoning theory. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026 How the conspiracy ecosystem jumped on hantavirus Epidemiologist Katrine Wallace has built a large social media audience by debunking medical misinformation in real time. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 11 May 2026 Once someone has formed an opinion, debunking their belief can backfire, driving them to commit even more strongly to their mistake. — Robert B. Talisse, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026 This is one of the most critical details in debunking the claim. — Ryan Brennan april 1, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026 Certainly, the association with Jeffrey Epstein is not especially helpful for debunking something nefarious. — Mike Rothschild, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026 Since the 1990s, neuroscientists have accumulated evidence debunking this idea. — Alicia Garceau, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for debunking

Verb

Brittany Howard, the band’s lead singer and charismatic frontwoman, has spent much of the past decade refuting that notion.

— Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2026
So thankful to Alabama Athletics for refuting it on my behalf.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of refuting

Verb

Mars challenges Saturn, exposing weak spots in schedules, instructions, or everyday communication.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
Much of its copper concentrate arrives from western China or overseas, adding transportation costs and exposing supply chains to international market and geopolitical disruptions.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of exposing

Verb

Europe’s summer wildfires are igniting and uncovering rusted bombs and mines from WWI and WWII, turning old battlefields into hazardous zones for firefighters and nearby communities.

— Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
But uncovering the identity of the decades-old body would not be quick work.

— Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of uncovering

Browse Nearby Words

debunked

debunking

debunks

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Debunking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debunking. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of debunking

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes