debunk

American  

[dih-buhngk] / dɪˈbʌŋk /

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

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debunk British  

/ diːˈbʌŋk /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

• debunker noun

Etymology

Origin of debunk

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

Example Sentences

There is simply too much gaslighting going on to spend adequate time debunking everything.

From Salon

Internet users are increasingly turning to chatbots to verify images in real time, but the tools often fail, raising questions about their visual debunking capabilities.

From Barron's

“It’s about your quality of life, it’s about what you put in your body, it’s about your wellness journey — we have debunked this before,” Rivera said.

From Los Angeles Times

But more recent studies have debunked that idea.

From BBC

That assumption needs to be debunked, and it starts from the top.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• demystify
• disparage
• mock
• puncture