debunk

[dih-buhngk]

verb (used with object)

1. to expose or excoriate (a claim, assertion, sentiment, etc.) as being pretentious, false, or exaggerated.

   to debunk advertising slogans.

   Synonyms: lampoon, ridicule, disparage

debunk

/ diːˈbʌŋk /

verb

1. informal,  (tr) to expose the pretensions or falseness of, esp by ridicule

Other Word Forms

• debunker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of debunk¹

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25; de- + bunk ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of debunk¹

C20: from _de- + _bunk ²

Example Sentences

Speaking on BBC Radio 2's Breakfast Show with Scott Mills, the star debunked rumours that it would be her last album.

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Goodall persisted in talking about the attacks, maintaining that her purpose was not to support or debunk theories about human aggression but to “understand a little better” the nature of chimpanzee aggression.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In the past, Kennedy has offered debunked theories about the rising rates of autism, blaming vaccines despite a lack of evidence.

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A spokesperson accused the three experts on the commission of serving as "Hamas proxies" and relying "entirely on Hamas falsehoods, laundered and repeated by others" that had "already been thoroughly debunked".

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The claim made significant ripples on social media, but it’s the same claim that has been debunked extensively by the state as well as independent experts.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• demystify 
• disparage 
• mock 
• puncture