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

Mr. Kennedy has long asserted that the measles vaccine causes autism, but the CDC page doesn’t go that far, perhaps because so many studies have debunked the claim.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The authors debunk commonly held myths that cast senior citizens as inept, scam-prone users of the internet.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson said last month that “allegations by Workers United have all previously been debunked and are without merit.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Fact-checkers have debunked it hundreds of times, pointing out that tariffs were largely paid by U.S. consumers, not China.

Read more on Salon

Despite being consistently debunked, conspiracy theories as to whether humans actually reached the Moon have persisted for more than 50 years, particularly with the rise of social media.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• demystify 
• disparage 
• mock 
• puncture