rebutting

verb

present participle of rebut
1
as in repulsing
to drive back Stalingrad's defenders were finally able to rebut the besiegers, but only after a horrendous loss of life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in refuting
to prove to be false Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe effectively rebutted any lingering notions that the earth is flat

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 rebutting But Mamdani’s national prominence as a progressive leader makes his comments disturbing and worth rebutting. — Daniel Kolkey, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2026 What to know to start your day Greater Memphis Chamber President and CEO Ted Townsend is rebutting reports he was forced to take a leave of absence. — Erin Munz, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 11 Apr. 2026 The findings are also helpful, Nguyen says, in rebutting claims made by Robert Malone, who Kennedy appointed as chair of the CDC committee that makes vaccine policy for the country. — Tara Haelle, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026 In an extraordinary video rebutting the charges, Powell said the DOJ’s action was a pretext. — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026 Oliver Rackham, the great historian of the British countryside, devoted a not insubstantial portion of his career to rebutting this claim, noting that there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that these punishments were ever carried out. — Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025 The cast largely helps to keep things grounded, rebutting the histrionics by treating each claim with legitimacy or reciting each gauche line with apt conviction. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025 Crenshaw wrote that the government now bears the burden of rebutting the presumption of vindictive prosecution. — Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025 In addition to rebutting the allegations, ESPN could raise a number of defenses. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebutting
  1. repulsing
  2. refuting
  3. repelling
  4. resisting
Verb
  • While there are dismemberments and other bits of gruesome violence to be found in the film, Badlands is largely aimed at endearing its audience rather than repulsing them.
    — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Definition of repulsing
Verb
  • While refuting any suggestion of police repression, Lecornu condemned violence on the margins of protests, which were mostly peaceful Tuesday, despite the dramatic scenes that dominated coverage.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
  • However, in July, Wayne released a message refuting reports of an engagement, referring to a relationship with someone in the past tense, albeit without mentioning them by name.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of refuting
Verb
  • The running back, 25, had a career night in his first game with the Chiefs, tallying 173 rushing yards on 23 carries, seemingly repelling opponents which resulted in multiple Broncos missed tackles.
    — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
  • This includes rain-repelling treatments like Rain X, adds Musson.
    — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 12 Sep. 2026
Definition of repelling
Verb
  • There never was a better moment for a movement aimed at resisting fascism, preventing war and eliminating poverty at home.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The officer also alleges Bowman continued resisting after the taser was used, before eventually complying.
    — Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of resisting

Browse Nearby Words

rebutted
rebutting
rebuy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rebutting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebutting. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of vocation

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All