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

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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

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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
  • 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
  • Most claims about cornstarch in gardening, such as repelling ants or boosting water retention, lack scientific evidence.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Eucalyptus Oil Eucalyptus oil works similarly to peppermint oil in repelling mice.
    — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of repelling
Verb
  • Stanley is accused of blocking Rajabi’s car with his body, punching Rajabi’s window and resisting arrest.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026
  • While half of Gen-Z use AI weekly, 48% of young working people now believe the risks of AI outweigh the benefits, and 44% of Gen-Z workers (subscription required) surveyed in one report admit to actively resisting their companies' AI efforts.
    — Michael Chavira, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of resisting

Browse Nearby Words

rebutted
rebutting
rebuy
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Cite this Entry

“Rebutting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebutting. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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